"Early to bed, and early to rise,
Makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise,"
fellows a touch of our opinion on too early rising. I base my judgment
upon careful and continued observation during many years.
The Scriptures teach that the day is for work, and night for sleep. This
turning day into night, sitting up till near midnight, is all wrong. It is
ruinous to health and beauty. This other extreme, of rising at four or
five o'clock and pitching into hard labor, is wearing and tearing to the
constitution; and though nature for a while adapts herself to the
necessity, by browning and unnaturally developing the exposed parts of
such deluded or unfortunate persons, _it does it at the expense of his
length of days_. He will not live so long for his over-doing.
Begin by retiring earlier, at the first indication after nightfall of
fatigue and sleepiness. If sweaty, wash the skin quickly, as previously
directed, with warm water, _rubbing dry and warm_, and cover up. Lie on
one side. Do not sleep on your back. You are more liable to dream
laborious or frightful dreams, snore, or have nightmare. Do not sleep in
clothes worn during the day.
Unfortunate is the man or woman, who, from necessity, arises before six or
seven in winter, or five to seven in summer.
Literary persons require more sleep than laborers. Children require more
than adults. Do not lie in bed long after awaking at morning. Open your
window wide as soon as you arise--it is supposed to be partially open at
the top all night.
In inhaling air at night or morning, do it only through the nostrils.
Night air is _not_ injurious any more than day air if so inhaled. Sleep
when sleepy--this is a good rule, unless disease induces unnatural sleep.