of fatigue is more satisfactorily secured. One imagines the need of rest
under such conditions.
The quality of the air is another important factor, though I need not
dwell upon that here. The air you breathe during sleep should
be especially fresh and pure, particularly so because of the more
shallow character of the breathing. If you are in a room, all the
windows should be open as wide as possible. If you have a covered
balcony or porch, or if you can avail yourself of a flat roof, it is
always advisable to sleep out-of-doors. The increased vitality will
more than repay you for your trouble. There is something about
out-of-door sleeping that vitalizes, energizes, and refreshes one to
an unusual extent.
Circulation is another important factor in sound sleep, especially for
nervous persons. Many of those who complain of an inability to
sleep suffer more or less from congestion of blood in the brain; also
they complain of cold feet or cold hands and feet. In such instances,
warm feet will often bring a solution of the problem. In some instances
drinking a half cup of hot milk or hot water before going to bed will
draw the blood from the brain and enable one to sleep. A hot foot bath
before going to bed will do the same thing, or one may use a hot-water
bag or hot flatiron wrapped up in flannels, or even a hot brick treated
in the same way, to keep the feet warm when in bed. In extreme cases it
might be advisable to apply cold packs to the head while applying heat
to the feet or when taking the hot foot bath.
Another measure of special value for nervous persons is a bath at the
temperature of the body, to be taken for a half-hour before going
to sleep. In cases of extreme excitement, anger or nervousness this bath
is invaluable. Fill the tub with water at 96 degrees Fahrenheit or
98 degrees Fahrenheit. You can remain in this bath for several hours
without harm, for it is neither weakening nor stimulating. It has a
soothing effect upon the nerves and is even valuable in preventing
attacks of hysteria or other nervous difficulties. This particular
bath is so effective in hospitals for the insane that it has
frequently obviated the use of padded cells and straight jackets. It is
just as effective for the nervous person who wishes to overcome the
excitement that is preventing sleep. A half-hour bath should be
sufficient for ordinary purposes. Another remedy of great value for
soothing the nerves is the air bath. I have referred to this in another
part of this volume, but it is extremely valuable for quieting the
nerves in cases of insomnia. If the room is comfortably warm, an air
bath can be advantageously taken for half an hour before going to
bed.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account