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Show Relax Tension Can Kill You it nervous HAVE no doubt about and worry can kill you. These are some of the effects which constant nervous strain can work on the human 'body: indigestion, high temperature, insomnia, rapid heart beat, difficulty in swallowing, ulcers, a headache, and high blood pressure. The total result: premature old age which in most cases could be prevented. Americans are especially susceptible, with their living habits. We take pur office problems home, our family problems to the office; we worry about our health, our bank balance, and whatever else seems handy. mile-a-mln- . r- -i ute ing whatever you're doing, but doing it gracefully, easily, and with no more muscle tension than is really needed. Scientists say you can even drive a car or vacuum a carpet, and still be relaxed. The trouble Is that many people are made unnecessarily tense by poor posture, wasted motion, and muscles Even at rest, that are. held steel-sti- ff. these muscles can burn energy just as though they were in violent movement. Feeling the habit of easing up should be inculcated in youth, Barnard College in New York gives its girls a special course in relaxation. A good part of that course is learning how to loosen Mb FAMILY WEEKLY PATTERN . . muscles. tension-ta- ut No. 2912. A casual typical case of overjtense muscles afflicted film actor Walter Pidgeon the first time he tried to sing on the stage. The big audience made him so nervous he could hardly get his jaws apart, and his vocal cords were so tight that his A I dress ish or We overwork, overworry, and overeat. But the human body can stand Just so much strain. Then something gives. There are many ways to fight back at the destructive worry habit. All of them require diligence and rtretitlon. or tension is a habit, and to conauer it we must develop new habits. The trick is to relax as soon as feel fatigued. Even at work, take time out to stretch your arms and legs, and let your muscles go limp. This sort of attempt to conserve your - energy may not seem to do much good at first. But as Dr. Edmund Jacobson of Chicago has said, "The importance of daily practice cannot be too much emphasized to anyone who seriously intends to cultivate habits of relaxation." Dr. Jacobson indicated the power of relaxation in the case of a man whose nervous spasms were choking th arterial blood supply to his heart. He dropped the man's blood pressure from 185 to 145 merely by teaching him to take things easy. A study made at Stephens College in Missouri showed that classical music is a tonic that both relaxes and strengthens the chronic worrier. A dose of the second movement of Beethoven's Fifth Symphony taken whenever nerves be,gin to fray will work wonders. houseTake as an example the tired wife who had been feeling irritable and at her children , depressed, snapping whenever they raised their voices. Life hardly seemed worth living. But after a few musical sessions alone for five minutes a day, she was a new woman. However, relaxation doesn't necessarily mean stopping work and lying down for a rest, either. There's ?uch a thing as "active relaxation" continu . 14 FAMILY WEEKLY MAGAZINE APRIL 18, 1954 the Break the hurry habit 10; tr. - r i i f Sizes Til. II A KyX I I 111' IX CI7P ACi yards x s i m I 1R- - i v35-lnc- h. "H " J Ml if . V SS. . i 2SI Jm. - J X X X take ttJl;f4V IU 111 orget NO. 2901. A sundress with buttoned its shoulders has own little button-o- n cape for cover! It will enhance the early- - to late-da- y scene in any fabrics you can name. Note that this pattern comes in a wide 3-- uive ing peace of mind by removing or getting" away, from contention at work or at home. -Recognize your limits as a human being. Don't take on more to .48. Size yards yards of material. 12 5y2 5lA handle without constant worry. 6- Eat lightly one day a week. 7 Let your recreation be simple and relaxing so that your tired nerves really get the chance to - themselves. Learning to relax after years of tension and worry is not easy, but the reward is a calmer and happier life. No. 113. Easily cro- cheted in two layers one in shades of soft yellows, the other side done in' violet and white, the pansy has a center of brpwriand a heart of pale yellow. Measures 7 by 8 inches. range of larger sizes: responsibilities than you can "re-creat- 1 M comDliments. about keeping up with the Joneses. The Joneses may lave ulcers as well as Cadillacs. yur mind and body some daytime rest periods. Read the Bible or listen to some good music for fast refreshment. 4 Work consciously toward achiev- 5- ed m things easier. 2-F- jt n l nre ior iormuia laxed living: 1 m necKiine. oiae dusi dart and two soft meats on each side or only singer I have," said the theater, manager, "and whether you can sing or not, I'm stuck with you." Pidgeon became so disgusted with himself that he no longer cared if he sang well or not. But with that change in his attitude, Pidgeon's tension vanished. And with his second number, he s captivated the crowd. reto more Follow these guideposts wing-collar- " either with - voice cracked. "You're ; USE 18: or 35-in- ch 39-in- THIS Big detailed sketch of pansy makes cheting easy. ch I Family Faskion Dre Pallrrnt. Sue s No- i' i cro- COL PON FOR ORDERIISC PleMe srnd mr e" ' -- SUe - Carol Curtta needlework Not. t Pattern: ' Enclose 35 for mrh drew pattern j 25 for each Carol CurlU ncelc. work pattern, and mail to FAMILY FASHIONS, P. O. Box 3b9, jVtadiion Square Station, New York 11, New York. PRINT NAME AND ADDRESS NAME : 1 ' 1 . STREET. r .ZOMv city- -: For the Carol Curtii -- STATE- FASHION BOOK and nw Needlework Guide, tend 2V additional eat a. SPRING-SUMME- R |