“The Strong, by bad habits, grow weaker, we know;
And by good ones, the Weak will grow stronger also.”
The Debilitated require much more rest than the Robust:—nothing is so restorative to the nerves, as sound, and uninterrupted Sleep, which is the chief source of both Bodily and Mental Strength.
The Studious need a full portion of Sleep, which seems to be as necessary nutriment to the Brain, as Food is to the Stomach.
Our Strength and Spirits are infinitely more exhausted by the exercise of our Mental, than by the labour of our Corporeal faculties—let any person try the effect of Intense Application for a few hours—He will soon find how much his Body is fatigued thereby, although He has not stirred from the Chair He sat on.
Those who are candidates for Health—must be as circumspect in the task they set their mind,—as in the exercise they give to their Body.
Dr. Armstrong, the Poet of Health, observes,
“’Tis the great Art of Life to manage well
The restless Mind.”
The grand secret seems to be, to contrive that the exercise of the Body, and that of the Mind, may serve as relaxations to each other.
Over Exertion, or Anxiety of Mind, disturbs Digestion infinitely more than any fatigue of Body—the Brain demands a much more abundant supply of the Animal Spirits, than is required for the excitement of mere Legs and Arms.
“’Tis the Sword that wears out the Scabbard.”