People in ill health cannot be expected to be happy whether they are married or single. In order to preserve the health of mind and body, the laws of health, as regards pure air, exercise, food, drink, etc., must be rigidly followed.
Exercise is one of the best means of preserving health. Care must be taken, however, that the exercise be of a kind and amount suitable to the needs of each person. Recreation, or a change of occupation (but never idleness), is sufficient exercise for some people. But there is little recreation in a game of chess, for instance, in the case of a man employed in a counting-room all day. His exercise should be taken out of doors, and be such as to free the mind from the exactions of business. The wealthy idler will find health in industry of some kind. Horseback riding is beneficial for those engaged in sedentary occupations, such as bookkeeping, office-work, etc. Walking is the best kind of exercise of all, and the most easily obtainable. Bicycle riding, too, is very good; so are all open-air games when not indulged in to excess. Dancing is an agreeable and healthy recreation for those engaged in sedentary pursuits. Indeed, it is considered second to none. One of the worse cases of consumption has been known to have been cured by dancing, practised daily for many months. Horseback riding is also very good for consumptives. Swimming is one of the best kinds of exercise.
All but babies have too little sleep. Everybody ought to get at least eight hours’ sleep in a day. Insanity often results from want of sleep. Always sleep on the right side, never on the back. Always breathe through the nose when asleep or awake. Never have a fire in your sleeping-room, unless you are an invalid. The need of cleanliness, pure air, pure water, sunshine and a cheerful disposition, etc., are too well known to need insisting upon here. These are necessary for the preservation of health, and without health there can be no real happiness.