TAKE IT EASY: ART OF RELAXATION

There is a large market waiting to take their marching orders on methods of life from Walter Pitkin. To those we recommend his Art of Relaxation as the best tabloid dose of a philosphy of letting go the tensions of modern life which is so far available. It pretends to no profound scientific principles -- to no profound philosophical implications. But it does give some sound basic principles of methods of relaxation, reasons for the need, variations on application (and here is where Pitkin surpasses his more substantial colleagues -- he does recognize the differences in individuals, and the reasons why no cure-all can be prepared). He goes farther than more mechanics of relaxation, into questions of diet -- again with acceptance of differences -- into questions of effect of stimulants and narcotics -- into insomnia and the cures -- into problems of exercise -- and into a good deal of generalizing about American men and women, their business and emotional problems.