I will give you a few physical exercises that have the effect of withdrawing from the muscles the nervous tension which causes a constant expenditure and leakage of vital energy. These exercises may be practiced by anyone irrespective of their present legal age. They cannot injure the most delicate.

Before commencing these exercises, remove, or at least loosen all restricting clothing. Exclude from the mind as far as possible all annoying or exciting thoughts. Don't try hard with these exercises. Do them carelessly and easily. To do them easily is to do them well. Remember the object is to reduce effort.

Relaxation Exercise No. 1

Lie down on the floor flat on your back. Let go of all the muscles. Try to feel that you have not a particle of strength; that you could not lift your hand. Withdraw all the force out of your muscles, let them lie limp and inactive. Don't care, don't try to move, don't even think if you can help it. Breathe slowly and regularly, using as little effort as possible. Relax the fingers and allow the lower jaw to drop as though it had lost all power to move. Lie still for a few minutes and rest. Should you feel any of the muscles of the hand, leg, neck or elsewhere tightening up, turn your thought on them and relax them.

After a few minutes, slowly and lazily roll onto your right side and relax completely. After a few minutes, roll to the left side and relax.

Relaxation Exercise No. 2

Without rising from the floor after the previous exercise, try to realize the weight of the body, head, trunk, arms and legs, and let the floor bear all the weight. This advice may seem absurd, but there are few people who even when asleep do not hold part of the weight of the head, or of a leg, or of an arm away from the bed.

After a few moments, gently raise the arm a few inches from the floor being careful to use no more energy than is needed, then withdraw all strength from it and let it fall to the floor as if lifeless. Don't lower it ; just let it fall with its own weight. Repeat this with the other arm and the legs, then lie still and rest.

This may appear to be easy. Try it. If you find it easy you don't need the exercise. The more difficult it is, the more you are in need of it.

When you arise from the floor and begin to walk, take things easily, don't make any unnecessary efforts. You will at once note a marked change in both your mental and physical attitude. Fifteen to thirty minutes of these exercises when you are nervous and your muscles are contracted will make a wonderful transformation in your condition. They will rest you as much or more than a night's sleep.