One of the strong influences on health is that of purifying the blood in the lungs. Plenty of fresh air is necessary for this purifying, and insufficient or impure air supply in the lungs will send the blood back to the heart only partially cleansed.
Teach the child to stand erect, to consider his position when sitting, and at all times to demand fresh air. Do not be afraid of an open window, always have good ventilation, especially in sleeping rooms. Give the child a simple exercise for deep breathing and help him to use it until he has formed the habit of taking several deep breaths of fresh air immediately upon arising in the morning; each time he goes out of a building into the open air; and many times during the day. Singing, running, skipping, jumping rope, etc., are all good exercises to stimulate deep breathing. See to it that the child breathes through the nose.
Drinking Water
Many chronic troubles result from the simple neglect to supply the body with sufficient water. An average grown person should have two quarts of water a day and more in warmer weather. The lack of any habitual time for drinking this water usually results in not getting it at all. Continued disregard of the craving of the body for water, because "it is not convenient to get it" at the time, will result in the cessation of this natural demand. Many persons have said, "I don't require that much water; I never drink but a glass or two." Inquiry will reveal the fact that these persons are usually sufferers from constipation or some other chronic trouble. Drinking a proper amount of water will cure many cases of constipation.
To be sure that the child gets sufficient water adopt some systematic time for drinking. A glass before meals is beneficial to digestion. It stimulates the flow of the digestive juices. Drinking during meals is not injurious under one condition, that is that no water is taken while you have any food in the mouth. Clear the mouth of food and then drink, do not wash your food down. Be careful not to take cold water soon after eating hot food, there is danger of cracking the enamel of the teeth. A habit should be formed of drinking a glass of water when washing in the morning; wash the stomach as well as the face and hands.
An average meal requires moisture equal to about five glasses. This is drawn from the system if not supplied with the meal. A glass of water before and one after each meal is an aid to digestion rather than a detriment. Make this a habit. It is a convenient time to furnish the amount of water required by the body, and more than the two glasses is better than less.
If the child is troubled with constipation or an approach to it see to it that he gets a copious supply of water and you will find the trouble relieved.
Rest and Sleep
As long as you can continue the practice do not allow the children to get "too old" for an afternoon rest. Even if he can not sleep, to lie down and relax will be of very definite value to health and bodily resistance of disease. If you are encouraging the cultivation of "the silence" and periods of constructive thought this can be combined with the rest period.
Rest and relaxation should be synonymous. To be able to relax thoroughly is of great value in the strenuous years of later life and should be cultivated and become habitual when young. In order that the child's sleep shall be of utmost value teach him to practice relaxation upon lying down and always doing so before falling asleep. This, coupled with a positive mental attitude, will make his sleep most profitable.