Most of us in modern society are in much the same position as these two scouts were, except that we have not found the ability to relax completely when the proper time comes. The bushes around us are full of "savages" (imaginary, of course), each one with a spear poised to drive home. They crowd in and let the spears fly. Upon each spear is a message. "Finish that homework," says one of the messages. "Go to the movies tonight," advises another. Faster and faster they come: "The phone is ringing," "Call Bill about the party," "Look out for that automobile," "The radio is too loud," "Who has been at my desk?" until the sky is black with the pointed warnings. Is it any wonder that we become jumpy and nervous? "Where is my horse, I want to ride away from all of this." But wait! Take it easy; you can learn to relax right here if you only will. You cannot ride away from these savages because they are not real. They are only in your mind, and will follow you no matter how fast you ride. You are the one that must be conquered, and you can conquer yourself by learning to relax your tense muscles and nerves.

The number of nervous diseases we find all about us is grim evidence that the art of relaxation is badly needed. The tempo of modern times takes a staggering toll in unhappiness and complete breakdown. Nervous tension is one of the results of leisure time unwisely used. It would be unfortunate, in a book dealing with leisure pursuits, to overlook the important art of relaxation. If a person becomes too active in pursuing hobbies, so that they drive him to persistent activity, they may become the opposite of what they should be. Relaxation from intensive hobby activity is just as necessary as relaxation from work. Don't forget this, in working out your philosophy of leisure.

Now it is not an easy thing to give good advice about how to relax. Relaxation is a very personal and individual matter. What will help one person may not help the next. In fact, it may hinder him. It is up to each individual to work out his own pattern according to the results he obtains. The suggestions that are included here should help you to work out your own pattern. They are mostly the schemes that various people have found to be successful. By practicing some of these suggestions you can no doubt hit upon your own plan, because one must learn to relax in modern society just as truly as one must learn to read or to drive a car. In a simple society it may not be necessary to learn to relax, but in our own modern world it certainly is.

Before we offer actual suggestions, however, it would be well if we understood each other thoroughly. It is not our plan here to tell you how to be a loafer. There is a difference between a habitual loafer and one who has found ways of relaxing completely. A loafer is one who takes no interest in anything except eating, sleeping, and a few of the bare animal necessities of life. He contributes nothing to his fellows and expects everything from them. The person who relaxes, on the other hand, is simply changing from tension and high speed to coasting and letting his body and mind be limp for a short time. You will understand this difference better after reading the following pages.