Larger panels present "The Problem" and "The Solution."

CONTENTS FOR SEPTEMBER, 1936

EDITORIAL: The Technic of Relaxation

PUBLIC HEALTH TRAINING AT ANN ARBOR UNDER THE SOCIAL

SECURITY ACT..

September, 1936

. 123

125

129

The National Negro Health Week Movement -Roscoe C. Brown

Part I. Crigin of the National Negro Health Week

146

Security Against Sickness-A Study of Health Insurance:

REPRINTS FROM PUBLIC HEALTH REPORTS AVAILABLE JULY 15 TO

AUGUST 15. .

165

166

THE HEALTH OFFICER

"HOMO SUM: HUMANI NIHIL A ME ALIENUM PUTO."--Terence

OFFICE OF PUBLIC HEALTH EDUCATION

VOL. 1 No. 5

U. S. PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE

123

SEPTEMBER, 1936

THE TECHNIC OF RELAXATION

Americans have been regarded generally as an extremely
energetic people. As compared to Europeans, for example,
they have often been accused of a restless overactivity and
an inability to relax. At the other extreme stands the Hin-
du who has placed such emphasis on relaxation, meditation
and inactivity as to make a religion of them. The Hindu doc-
trine involves not changing or conquering the environment,
which we Americans so devoutly believe in, but rather a train-
ing and disciplining of the mind in a passive submission and
adjustment to it. An attempt is made to close the mind to
all disturbing or exciting stimuli. An
would explain these divergent characteristics as due, in the
latter instance, to the warm ennervating climate of India and
in the former, to the extremely variable and stimulating cli-
mate of North America.

environmentalist

Whatever the explanation, in our modern and fast-moving civilization where hypertension, maladjustments, neuroses, degenerative diseases are on the increase, the importance of relaxation as a preventive and therapeutic measure should not

be overlooked.

Advice usually given by physicians, psychiatrists and clergymen regarding the practice of relaxation is rather vague and not based on carefully controlled scientific data.

September, 1936

Hence, we invite attention to the timely paper by B. K.

Bagchi of Iowa State University on "Mental Hygiene and the Hindu Doctrine of Relaxation" in which rules for the practice of relaxation are discussed.

Apparently the first step is to assume the mental attitude of relaxation which may be induced by certain visual or auditory images. For example, by quietly watching a poised person you become poised yourself; later by even recalling his name. Cr by listening to quiet music or reading inspirational verses. "Relaxation," says Bagchi, "is a definite psychophysiological process. It involves learning and practice."

Relaxation is sometimes confused with recreation which for the most part does not recreate. A vocation, a change of climate, an automobile trip or the temporary cessation of an occupation will not effect a cure of hypertensed individuals who are not skilled in the technic and habit of relaxation.

re

Relaxation, it is pointed out, is not incompatible with action although at first one may regard them as fundamentally opposed to each other. Relaxation must, of course, never place action but alternate with it in obedience to the law of rhythm which is common to all living processes.

There is also

a variant form of relaxation even in the midst of pronounced activity which is observable in well-disciplined and selfcontrolled personalities. It is called "poise."

Have Americans acquired the bad habits of hurry, worry and scurry to such a degree that we need an organized social stimulus toward the practice of relaxation?

*Hental Hygiene, 20:3, 424-440 (July 1936).