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WHY MEN SHOULD EXERCISE DAILY

twice a week, make it two, or even three hours. It is glorious work; and will renew your youth, not only in a delightful way, but to an extent little short of incredible. And it scours your mind of business; and sends you back to your work a different man; and a better-natured one; and so a stronger one, for Carlyle fitly says: "Wondrous is the strength of cheerfulness; altogether past calculation its power endurance. A laugh is worth a hundred groans in any market. Have a smile for all; a pleasant word for everybody. To succeed, work hard, earnestly and incessantly." And in walking, and sitting; in playing golf; and in everything else you do, always hold yourself erect. But how can you do that? Easily. As already seen, simply keep the back of your neck against the back of your collar. Not too firmly, or you will strut. But firmly. Never mind about your shoulders. Let them go where they will. Holding your shoulders too far back is just as much a deformity as rounding them forward. Keep your neck well back; and inevitably your chest fills up in front, tends indeed to draw upwards towards your chin; which is just what you want. And taking the long, deep, slow breaths makes it easy to keep it there; and brings a pleasant sensation besides. And keeping it there gives you a bigger power-house; and makes you a stronger man. The power-houses of most Americans are too small by a fifth. Hear Sargent on this point, in The United States of America, Vol. II., p. 472:


"How important it is, therefore, that the simple matter of attitude or position at work should receive careful attention. A faulty position, while standing or sitting, not only cramps the vital organs, and interferes with the important functions of respiration, circulation, and digestion; but also weakens the muscles that are kept almost continually on the stretch during the working hours"

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