Up early as good as a cold bath

Monday, 26 October 2009 05:00

October 26, 1837. Up early from a warm bed is as good as a cold bath, says the St. Catharines Journal.

Nothing can be more prejudicial to tender constitutions or studious and contemplative persons, than lying long in bed after one is distinctly awake, or has slept a due and reasonable time: it necessarily thickens the juices, enervates the solids, and weakens the constitution.

A free open air is a kind of cold bath, especially after rising out of a warm bed, and consequently makes the circulation brisker and more complete, and braces up the solids, which lying in bed dissolves and soaks in moisture. The erect posture, and the activity of washing make the perspiration more plentiful, and the gross evacuations more readily thrown off. This is evident from the appetite and hunger those that arise early feel, beyond that which they get by lying long in bed.

Add to all these, the influence of the fresh, benign morning air—the retreating of all the noxious damps and vapours of the night, together with the clouds of heaviness that are thrown upon the brain from sleep; and, lastly, that cheerfulness and alacrity that are felt by the approach or presence of the glorious luminary the sun, which adds a true force to the heart, and gives a spur to the lagging and jaded spirits.