Health, Exercise, and Healthful Living
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Exercise is indispensable to the health of every organ. If one set of
muscles is used to the neglect of others, the living machinery is not
being worked intelligently.
When physical exercise is taken, the circulation is quickened. The
heart receives blood faster and sends it to the lungs faster. The lungs
work more vigorously, furnishing a greater amount of blood, which is
sent with stronger power through the entire being. Exercise gives new
life and strength to every part of the body.
The nerves gain or lose strength in accordance with the way in
which they are treated. If used too long and too severely, they are
overtaxed and weakened. If used properly, they gain strength.
In order to have health, equilibrium of action must be maintained.
The mind must harmonize with this, or the benefits are not realized. If
physical exercise is regarded as drudgery, the mind takes no interest
in the exercise of the different parts of the body. The mind must be
interested in the exercise of the muscles.
In the education of the youth, physical exercise must be combined
with mental taxation.
Young girls who have health never know how to appreciate its
value. If their employment is sedentary, they have a distaste for other
branches of labor. They complain of great weariness if they take
exercise. This should be to them a convincing fact that they need to
train their muscles.—
Letter 6, 1885
.
Laws of Health to Be Strictly Obeyed—A great amount of suf-
fering might be saved if all would labor to prevent disease by strictly
obeying the laws of health. Strict habits of cleanliness should be ob-
served. Many, while well, will not take the trouble to keep in a healthy
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condition. They neglect personal cleanliness, and are not careful to
keep their clothing pure. Impurities are constantly and imperceptibly
passing from the body, through the pores; and if the surface of the skin
is not kept in a healthy condition, the system is burdened with impure
matter.
If the clothing worn is not often washed and frequently aired, it
becomes filthy with impurities, which are thrown off from the body by
sensible and insensible perspiration. And if the garments worn are not
frequently cleansed from these impurities, the pores of the skin absorb
again the waste matter thrown off. The impurities of the body, if not