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The New Zealand Railways Magazine, Volume 6, Issue 1 (May 1, 1931)

Our Women's Section

page 58

Our Women's Section

Health and Beauty From Housework.

In a very interesting article entitled “Health from Housework,” published in the March issue of “Town and Country Homes,” Mr. F. A. Hornibrook shows how housework, the performing of the tasks of the home, can become a definite means of developing physical fitness, beauty of figure, and grace of movement.

How strange it seems that a man should take such a scientific interest in a woman's work, but Mr. Hornibrook, as an authority on bodily culture and physical fitness, has seen in the hundreds of movements incurred in the jobs of the house, possibilities for changing them from mere dull routine into pleasurable and beneficial exercises. “The housework does not exactly become play, but it is changed from uninteresting toil into pleasurable exercises,” says Mr. Hornibrook.

Of course there is a certain amount of satisfaction in the results of our work—shining floors, white benches, neat piles of ironed clothing, etc.—but if at the same time we can feel that we ourselves are benefiting physically while our families reap the material gains—how much greater will be our pleasure throughout a busy day in the home. Let us banish the thought of aching backs, tired feet, rough hands, and an idea of having “far too much to do” to bother about how it is done.

In the first place it is essential that the housewife should be comfortably and sensibly attired for the performing of her tasks so that they may be beneficial to her rather than injurious. How often have I seen a woman hobbling painfully about for hours on end in uncomfortable shoes! Comfort of the feet is imperative when so much is demanded from them. Shoes, soft and fitting easily, should be worn while we are hurrying from room to room with mops and vacuum cleaners, standing at sinks, cooking or ironing. Long skirts are, of course, ridiculous. They hamper free movement, as do tight sleeves and “frills,” necklaces, etc. Most women now-a-days have a pretty overall, just below the knee, which is a very suitable garment for the performing of their daily “tasks” or exercises.

There is no doubt that from our housework we do obtain exercise, often to such a degree that we are thoroughly “fagged out” and unfit for anything at the end of the day. This is probably because we are adopting incorrect postures, straining page 59
To obtain the most beneficial exercise in the use of the long-handled mop, th's should be worked by a body movement and a swaying from the waist.

To obtain the most beneficial exercise in the use of the long-handled mop, th's should be worked by a body movement and a swaying from the waist.

muscles constantly, occupied only with the necessity for getting the work done. Mr. Hornibrook gives some extremely helpful suggestions, showing that correct posture and rhythmic movements do not involve the expenditure of more time and effort. They become instinctive and natural in a very short time, and the housewife finds that her fatigue is gone and that she feels absolutely strengthened by her tasks about the home.

Mr. Hornibrook deals with six ordinary household “jobs” carried out by thousands of women every day in the year. Thus they have the value of regular continued physical movements, and if done in the wrong way will naturally develop permanent deficiencies—round shoulders, bent backs, aching feet.

1.

When you are using the carpet sweeper or cleaner adopt a rhythmic movement and brace your shoulders back. Encourage the use of the body—a swaying from the hips rather than excessive and fatiguing use of the arms.

2.

How often during the day do you stand at the kitchen sink, washing-up, preparing food, etc.? Our author suggests that if one, stands a little further away from the bench, unnecessary stooping and slouching is avoided. The same applies to ironing, when one should stand on a mat.

When you are sewing, knitting, or doing anything which necessitates sitting for long periods, be extremely careful of your position—see that you have support for your back, so that your shoulders will be straight and your chest not contracted. Many digestive complaints are caused by sitting in a faulty posture.

Surely it is worth our while to pay some attention to these details, because housework occupies the greater amount of many a woman's day, and should not be a drudgery to her—nor should it result in undue fatigue. In all your occupattons think of your position; think of the task as an exercise, and never allow yourself to adopt slack and slipshod methods.

With reference to the correct postures and rythmic movements recommended, Mr. Hornibrook says: “Above all they give the housekeeper herself a living interest in work which would otherwise tend to become dull routine.”

When engaged in any standing occupation (ironing, wash-ing, etc.) the above illustration depicts the correct posture to adopt.

When engaged in any standing occupation (ironing, wash-ing, etc.) the above illustration depicts the correct posture to adopt.

page 60

Winter “Undies”

When the days become shorter, the sunshine “luke-warm,” and the winds biting, we seek the comfort of blazing fires, hot-water bottles, cosy rooms. We spend a great deal of thought, and often money, upon warm coats, woollen stockings and jumpers, thick gloves and frocks—and quite wisely too! Some of our most attractive clothes are our winter “rigs;” so utterly different from the frills and drifting draperies of summer and spring, the soft colours and flower effects. Nothing can be more “chic” and smart than a well planned winter outfit—warm, colourful and protective. Just as in the hot clear days of summer, we want to look cool, fresh—part of the season—so when the days are grey and icy we must give the appearance of warmth and brightness.

Ever so many office girls confess that they make absolutely no change in their underclothing for the cold months of winter, believing in the value of a warm frock and coat. They are faithful to the almost non-existent silken garments of summer, and are surprised when they are always cold, and consequently never happy. If you have to sit for long hours at an office desk, often in a draught, rush out at lunch time, and often again in the evenings, you must have warm underclothing in addition to your attractive and cosy “outside”
Illustrating the correct sitting posture when darning or knitting.

Illustrating the correct sitting posture when darning or knitting.

clothes. I am not advising layers and layers of superfluous garments. The less you can wear the better, but let it be wool, even if it is only one garment. Many people dislike the touch of wool against the skin, then why not wear silk first? If you like knitting it is very easy to make a woolly singlet for yourself—soft, fleecy, and also pretty—it need not be bulky and spoil the fitting of your clothes. You will be infinitely grateful for its warmth and comfort.