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Exercise is Indispensable to Health, May 13
The glory of young men is their strength.
Proverbs 20:29
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Attention to health is one of our most important duties. We owe this to
ourselves, to society, and to God. Young men and young women are proverbially
careless in regard to their health....
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.... If physical exercise is regarded as drudgery, if the
mind takes no interest in the exercise of the different parts of the body [the benefits
will not be realized]. The mind must be interested in exercise of the muscles.
In the education of the youth, physical exercise must be combined with mental
taxation.—
Letter 6, 1885
.
Perfect obedience to God’s commands calls for conformity to the laws of the
being....
The time spent in physical exercise is not lost. The student who is constantly
poring over his books, while he takes but little exercise in the open air, does
himself an injury. A proportionate exercise of the various organs and faculties
of the body is essential to the best work of each. When the brain is constantly
taxed while the other organs are left inactive, there is a loss of physical and mental
strength. The physical powers are robbed of their healthy tone, the mind loses its
freshness and vigor, and a morbid excitability is the result.
In order for men and women to have well-balanced minds, all the powers of
the being should be called into use and developed....
[The Lord] bids us reason from cause to effect, to remember that we are His
property, and to unite with Him in keeping the body pure and healthy, and the
whole being sanctified to Him.—
Counsels to Parents and Teachers, 295-300
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