Exercise and Rest

Value of Exercise

The heart, the lungs, the blood vessels, the bowels degenerate if they are not given their proper work to do, and on the other hand they suffer if too heavy a burden is placed upon them.

The muscles make up more than one-half the total weight of the human body, and their proper use is essential, not only for their own growth but on account of the interrelation between the health of the muscles and that of the rest of the organs. Vigorous physical exercise not only develops the muscles themselves, it stimulates the heart and the blood vessels, it deepens the breathing, it keeps up the tone of the digestive system, it frees the tissues from the accumulation of harmful waste products.

Avoidance of Overstrain

The physique of the recruit is systematically developed by setting-up exercises, marching, rifle and sabre exercises, applied gymnastics, swimming and athletic games. It is overstrain which the soldier must avoid, and "soldier's heart" has been a common complaint in Europe during the present war. Exercises should be varied so as not to overtax any one group of muscles and they should never be carried to the point of exhaustion. Breathlessness is a valuable danger signal of overload of the heart.

Rest and Efficiency

It is not hard work that kills. It is prolonged strain at dull tasks without variety, on the one hand, worry and excitement on the other. With a proper variety of work it is marvelous what the human mind and hand can accomplish, but they cannot endure too long a pull without interruption. The operatives in the Zeiss Optical Works at Jena actually did more work in an eight-hour day than in one of nine hours. They could keep fresh and vigorous for the shorter period, while they began the nine-hour day in poor condition because imperfectly rested from the day before.

The studies made in the English munition factories during the present war have shown clearly that a limitation of hours of labor may often lead to such an increase in production; and this is a lesson we must bear in mind in this country in the present crisis.

Ways of Resting

The first rule of the hygiene of rest, then, is to avoid so far as possible overstrain due to prolonged work of a similar kind. People vary a good deal in their rest needs. Some men are rested by a change of work, some by active play and some by complete rest. Nothing, however, can take the place of necessary sleep, and the average individual needs about eight hours of sleep out of the twenty-four. No one can work hard all day and play half the night. Nervousness and irritability are danger signals. They mean that the strength is being overtaxed and that some change in habits should be made.

Cultivation of mental poise is a great help in conserving vital force. Worry is as bad as monotony and a fit of anger poisons the whole system and is more exhausting than a hard day's work.
Source: http://www.healthguidance.org/authors/674/Anthony-Winslow