MENTAL POISE 



233 



the oxidation process. If these accumulate faster than the organs 

 of excretion can eliminate them, they are likely to act as poisons. 

 At the same time, the food material in the cell becomes exhausted. 

 Because all bodily activities are slowed up during sleep, the sleep- 

 ing organism has a chance to eliminate the accumulated wastes. 

 The repair of all tissues goes on during sleep. It is the muscle 

 cells and brain cells, particularly, that become fatigued. In 

 monotonous work the same neurons are constantly being used. 

 This work should be counterbalanced with some kind of recrea- 

 tion. Rest and play balance mental work because different path- 

 ways are traveled. Fatigued synapses offer resistance to impulses. 

 This naturally results in inefficiency or lack of activity. A high 

 school boy or girl should sleep, approximately, nine hours a night 

 in order to efficiently restore fatigued nerves and muscles. 



Mental poise. Mental hygiene has for its object the promo- 

 tion of mental poise and serenity, and the prevention of mental 

 disorders. Nervous instability is shown by a predisposition to 

 strong emotions that are easily aroused and are only controlled 

 with difficulty. Worthless m - 



nervous activities should be 

 eliminated as far as possible 

 by cultivating proper atti- 

 tudes. Worry and fear stimu- 

 late certain parts of the auto- 

 nomic nervous system and may 

 have injurious physiological 

 effects. Strong emotions tend 

 to stimulate the adrenal glands, 

 causing the withdrawal of 

 blood from the viscera. This 

 may result in serious digestive 

 disorders. Worries exercise neurons with no worthwhile gain. 

 Frequently, the worry is over an act that is beyond control. For 



WH. FITZ. AD. BIO. 16 



A hobby gives one a satisfying way of spending 

 leisure time. The more interesting and novel is 

 the hobby the greater will be the resulting satis- 

 faction. 



