The tempo and stress of modern life are increasing, for speeding is not confined alone to the highway. There is a growing tendency, almost an obsession at times, to hurry and worry, which causes mental strain and nervous tension. For many the pace is so strenuous it becomes a serious menace to health. Psychic traumas, or injuries, readily develop, and life gradually becomes more and more oppressive and burdensome. Working under such conditions is a serious tax on health, and often leads to illness.
For many the day is not long enough and they feel compelled to encroach upon the hours of needed sleep, not only for work, but too often for parties and entertainments of questionable value. As a result insomnia may develop, and much of the night may be spent in worrying about innumerable troubles, mostly imaginary. Discouragement soon develops, followed by despondency and finally despair.
It is not the work itself, but the nervous tension, worry, and uncertainty associated with it, that exhausts nerve energy and fatigues the brain. Work under fair conditions is a boon and a blessing, but anxious thoughts of frustration and failure mar the best efforts. Long-continued labor under such trying conditions is likely to break down the human machine—a common occurrence nowadays. Preventive measures are effective if taken in time. The Master gave the wisest and best counsel when
He said, "Do not be anxious, therefore, about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own anxieties." (Weymouth.)
The mind and the body are a unit, and health is based on the old Greek standard, "Mens sana in corpore sarto"—"A sound mind in a sound body." This is the objective of all, but its attainment is greatly hindered by uncontrolled appetite and indulgence. Heredity is an important factor in determining health, but rarely all-important, for many unfortunate inherited tendencies and traits can be neutralized or overcome by sound hygienic measures and self-discipline.
However, most adults have one or more unhappy hereditary weaknesses which may have been unrecognized or ignored during childhood by the parents. The best time to correct and change undesirable traits of character is in the plastic years of childhood. Then wise and kind guidance, good example, and tactful discipline can accomplish much in modifying and adjusting wrong trends and faulty conduct. All children need firm training in obedience, combined with wise reasoning and gentle leading. Arbitrary and overbearing methods fail in dealing with either children or adults, and little is gained by forcing obedience.
Many people failed to enjoy wholesome home environment and Christian training through no fault of theirs. Thus the early discipline which they lacked must later be obtained under difficult and unfavorable circumstances. All do well to practice self-discipline, and thus learn how to adapt themselves to the vicissitudes, disappointments, and obstacles of life.
The nervous person is hypersensitive and irritable—a condition often inherited from his ancestors. While in health one should be able to control oversensitive nerves, at least to a considerable extent, and thus lead a healthy, well-adjusted, happy life. But illness, with loss of vital physical resistance and its sustaining aid, causes exhaustion and a tendency to be restless and irritable, taking notice of small annoyances, becoming easily offended, resentful, and even cross and hypercritical. Too often such a one is inclined to twist and exaggerate things that are obviously innocent. He becomes suspicious and imagines that circumstances or people are against him. Even a friendly glance is misinterpreted and the tone of voice is suspiciously regarded. Words are distorted and wrong conclusions are drawn. Innocent, friendly attention may be misjudged and regarded as personal interference.
Some are prone to think they are under observation and are being watched for an ulterior motive. They may even imagine persecution, and become very unhappy about it. All these feelings of inadequacy, doubt, and insecurity, together with morbid fears and apprehension, multiply worries, bringing increasing despondency and disharmony in the emotional life, which may produce mental conflicts.
Serious disturbance of the emotions may be the indirect, or even direct, cause of definite physical symptoms and disorders. Careful study and investigation have demonstrated that ulcer of the stomach or small bowel may result from prolonged emotional strain and worry. It is well known that nervous factors, such as fear, foreboding, worry, jealousy, resentment, and hatred are capable of causing a long list of functional disorders and may bring about definite organic disease. Even disorders of the heart and high blood pressure are known to result from such emotional disturbances or from a severe neuropsychic shock or bitter disappointment.
Worry, a Harmful Luxury and Waste of Energy
Thinking is either constructive and helpful, or destructive and harmful. It is cheerful and uplifting, or discouraging and depressing. Worry, a common example of destructive thinking, has been called a luxury. It is truly a harmful luxury as well as a waste of energy. It requires a larger and more vital output of energy to worry than to engage in useful manual or mental labor. This is because worry is motivated by fear. It is based on fear of failure or fear that some imaginary disaster portends. A mother worries because she fears some accident will happen to her boy while he is away from home. Although the danger is infinitesimal, she nevertheless visualizes a tragedy until he returns safely.
If people could realize the absolute futility as well as the harm of worry, and the misery that it brings, there might be more faith and better control of thoughts. Worry is a state of impatient ferment, turmoil, and agitation over all kinds of fearsome and dreadful things that frequently fail to happen. This distressing affliction is not confined alone to a sinister apprehension of some kind of calamity, all without the slightest ground for wild surmising, but it has in addition a powerful, depressing influence upon the entire human system. Worry is a wild, mischief-making fantasy that creates untold grief and sadness.
Life, which has been described as a daily adjustment to ever-changing conditions and circumstances, is uncertain, and satisfactory adjustments to disappointments as well as to successes are required. Blessings are too often accepted in a matter-of-fact, casual way without generous appreciation and due return of thanks. "Count your mercies, such a boundless store," is a wise exhortation. People often exaggerate and magnify disappointments until molehills become mountains, but they are inclined to overlook and forget the innumerable benefits and blessings showered upon them daily by a kind heavenly Father. Of course there are many trying and dire experiences in life, and hard problems to solve. They should be accepted as a challenge to brace up and do our best. We may always claim the promise, "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him."
Mental and physical health depends much upon contentment, internal peace, and occupation of brain and body. Work is one of the greatest blessings of life. To be busily engaged in useful service is an effective safeguard against trouble. There should be no time to notice the drone of airplanes, the shrill whistling of trains, the clatter of trucks and cars, the honking of horns, or other noise. One must refuse to be startled, excited, or anxious about things outside and beyond control, and at all times have control of the mind, and be able to preserve a calm, serene attitude in the midst of a distraught world. Inner, golden silence is a constant source of comfort. In all service, pursue a quiet and restful attitude, and work at ease, avoiding strain and tension. Decline to hurry, for just as much, if not more and better, work can be done without rushing. Thus nervous stress, which is a blight upon all kinds of enjoyment and employment, and is liable in time to ruin health, is avoided.
Dr. Albert Wiggam tells a story about a cheerful, happy old colored man who had had his share of trouble. When asked how he had been able to maintain good cheer, he said: "Well, I'll tell you. I'se just learned to cooperate wid de inevitable." Here is sound Christian philosophy, and a good example for all "would-be worriers." Rightly sensed, there is nothing for the Christian to worry about, but very much to be thankful for.
Work under fair conditions promotes health, but hurry, worry, and flurry pave the way for what the layman calls a nervous breakdown. Such a breakdown is almost always unnecessary, and is often the result of overanxiety and lack of faith. The secret of success is contained in this brief statement: "Ease does—not force." The moment a man begins to force or drive himself beyond his normal fitness or strength, he reduces the quality of his performance and at the same time undermines health. He is going at a pace beyond his capacity, which not only impairs his work, but, if persisted in, ultimately ruins his body.
To improve and cultivate health, sufficient sleep, rest, relaxation, and recreation in the open air are necessary. Walking is highly recommended as an ideal exercise for the vast majority of men and women. Most people should walk from three to five miles daily, in several walks. A healthful protective diet, including fruit, nuts, vegetables, milk, and cereals, six to ten glasses of water daily, fruit juices, resulting in good bowel elimination, is recommended. Endeavor to cultivate a tranquil, quiet life of faith, with a contented mind, a cheerful spirit, and a thankful heart, by generous feeding on the bread from heaven, which is the word of God. "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God."
For sound, practical psychology, the Bible is a veritable mine of pure gold to which all have free access, without money and without price. If sore distressed, worried, and in doubt, we may claim the precious promise, "The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want. . . . He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness." In time of turmoil, sorrow, and suffering we may know that "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." It is our privilege to accept these and innumerable other precious promises and weave them into daily life. This is God's will for us. The child of God need never worry or walk in uncertainty.
