On the other hand, if the alimentary tract is entirely empty, sleep may not come because there is too much blood in the brain. A glass of hot milk or cocoa, or a couple of crackers, will call the blood to the stomach and will often aid sleep.
After eating a heavy meal, from three to three and a half hours should elapse before retiring for sleep.
Influence of the Mind
The state of mind has much to do with regulating the digestive system. Cheerful thoughts keep the nerves of the entire organism in a normal state, while disagreeable thoughts cause a tense, unnatural condition.
The nerves of the digestive organs are affected by the tenseness of the mind, just as are the nerves to any other part of the body. As an illustration, if one continuously thinks ugly, disagreeable thoughts, these thoughts affect the chemical activities of digestion and assimilation, resulting in an excess of acid in the blood, and actual illness results. Digestion and assimilation being impaired, the tissues become weakened, they lose their resistance, and, as a result, the organs may prolapse. We then have what is called a “vicious circle”—the mind affects the body unpleasantly and the body the mind.
We are learning to consider many factors in looking for the causes of disease, particularly those due to general weakness, or a disturbed mental state. Even the temper shown in a crying babe may affect its digestion by disturbing the normal chemical activity.
Among the blood and digestive disturbances which may result from anxiety, worry, fear, or disagreeable thoughts, are anemia, neurasthenia, indigestion, constipation, prolapsed viscera, and, in fact, all diseases which result from faulty nutrition and resultant weakened tissues.
Disagreeable thoughts affect the appetite, in fact they sometimes cause it to be entirely lost.
All so-called “new thought,” “ologies,” or “isms,” conducive to the formation of the habit of looking on the bright side of life, or of looking for good and joy in life, of kindness, love, and helpfulness, favorably affect the digestion and consequently the health. The practice is Christian Sense.