Saving Strength 13*3 



worn and weary house-worker to accomplish more, with less fatigue, than 

 is otherwise possible. The foregoing suggestion is so remote from what 

 many an industrious woman considers " her duty to her family as to 

 seem to her like theoretical nonsense. Nevertheless, it is body- and brain- 

 saving, good, common sense. Duty to oneself should lead women to take 

 measures for saving health and strength while there is still a fund to draw 

 upon. 



Rest periods of fifteen minutes at intervals during the day are much to 

 be desired in the housekeeper's program, and they should be taken before 

 she has become so weary that fifteen minutes do not seem to count. A 

 hard-working professional man was asked how often he rested. He replied, 

 as often as he had fifteen minutes to spare. Women do not rest often 

 enough before they are utterly exhausted. Sometimes it seems easier to 

 continue working than to stop, because the first experiences in resting are 

 most uncomfortable; one dreads the let-down after utter exhaustion. 

 Moreover, young housekeepers full of life and energy are tempted to 

 work beyond their strength without planning for the reserve necessary 

 for later years. 



Vacations cost less and are much more to be enjoyed when one is in con- 

 dition to appreciate them than at other times. No one needs a vacation 

 more than does a housekeeper. Everything is brighter and more encour- 

 aging on her return, and her family feels the benefit that has come to 

 her from a fresh point of view and a rested spirit. Homemakers probably 

 find it more difficult than do many others to leave their work, even for a 

 day or two, and, when it is suggested that they have a change for two 

 weeks, are appalled at the thought of leaving their home duties. 



The daily vacation. — It is very restful to sit for ten minutes visiting with 

 some one, or even with folded hands, if one's leisure is not enforced. But 

 as soon as one becomes aware that the dinner may be late because of trouble 

 with the kitchen fire or because of some interruption, every delay becomes 

 wearisome. It is not always possible in a household to have helpers do 

 things on time and accomplish results successfully, and the average woman 

 is worried by waiting for others to gain results or to travel as fast as she 

 wants to. Worrying over such conditions is a difficult habit to overcome; 

 yet it causes much waste energy. The satisfaction of doing all that is 

 possible is really the only necessary requirement, and, if one can drop the 

 worry over work not accomplished, much is gained in poise. 



Anticipated discomforts are to be avoided. — We unfit ourselves for duties 

 that we wish to accomplish by the fear that we shall fail in them. If one 

 is called upon to act as hostess under trying circumstances or to speak at 

 the farmers' wives' club, the anticipation of her duty is much harder than 

 its accomplishment. But who has suggested failure? It is she who is to 



