280 THE WONDERFUL HOUSE THAT JACK HAS 



extra blood from the head to the other parts of the 

 body tends to prevent being wakeful. Light exercise, 

 a warm bath, or soaking the feet in warm water are 

 among the most useful practices of this kind just 

 before going to bed. Some also find that a glass of 

 hot milk or other simple food taken at bedtime accom- 

 plishes the same purpose, as it calls blood to the 

 stomach. However, neither rich food nor a hearty 

 meal late at night is conducive to restful sleep. 



People whose occupation requires chiefly mental ef- 

 fort are much more likely to be troubled with sleepless- 

 ness than those engaged in physical labor. Therefore 

 such people should not neglect to take enough physical 

 exercise to keep their circulation even and active. In 

 fact, whatever tends to keep the body in a normal, 

 healthy condition induces restful sleep. Notice how 

 peacefully a little child sleeps. Not a muscle is tense. 

 If you try to lift him while sleeping, he is almost as 

 limp as a rag. By fully relaxing the muscles in a 

 similar way, adults, too, may help to bring sound sleep. 



Pupils sometimes sit up late at night studying for 

 next day's examination. They try to cram all possible 

 information into their minds, expecting to be better 

 prepared for the questions. Why is this an unwise 

 investment of time? Simply because the brain does 

 an extra large amount of work without having a suffi- 

 cient chance to get rested. How much more sensible 

 it is to give the brain its usual rest ! Then nervous- 

 ness will not prevent memory and reason from doing 



