Rensselaer Republican, Volume 13, Number 22, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 February 1881 — Work and its Relation to Health. [ARTICLE]

Work and its Relation to Health.

Dr. Toot*’* Health Monthly. Most of the ills that afflict humanity are the result of mental and spiritual causes. Whatever disturbs our mental balance, affects the body in proportion to the effect its produces on the mind. Whatever makes U 9 happy, makes us healthy, and. of course, the opposite condition produces the opposite effect. To preserve the mental balance, or, in other words, to keep the mind happy, is one of the primaiy conditions requisite for good health; but. how to do it? —“that is the question.” Of necessity, the mind must be occupied, ana by something besides its own personal gratification, in order to be happy. There must be something to think about, to employ its attention, to be interested in; something congenial to the t&ste of the individual, and adapted to his peculiar organization. The former, who is so from choice, and thoroughly enjoys his outdoor life, could hardly find happiness in stove making; and the woman who is a natural born housekeeper could not be satisfied in school teaching; and so on to the end of the list. Each individual is adapted by nature for some kind of employment, and cannot enjoy so well any other. That is his particular sphere. Some one has said, “people are angelic in their own spheres, and the opposite out of them,” and the saying naa a fact for its foundation.

Congenial employment will go far towards removing Dad conditions and bringing better ones in their places, even if no other means are used for the purpose. In choosing a profession or business, whether as a means of support or of restoration to health, the natural inclinations and adaptation should always be considered. No one should engage In a business for which he has # dislike and at which he must compel himself to work. All employment should be pleasurable, ana when, from any cause, it is otherwise, it should be stopped. No one should work at anything when all the feelings rise up in rebellion against it. Such proceeding is a waste of vitality, ana continued efforts under such conditions are never successful, The mind and body must work in harmony in order to produce good results. Rita Belle. Battle Creek, Mich.