REST-Part 2

An interesting study was made in Great Britain during the early years of World War II. The Axis powers were gaining over the Allies, as German bombers were pulverizing the cities of England. It was feared that invasion by German army across the English Channel was imminent. The English people were mobilized to put forth an all-out war effort.

In one particular airplane factory the laborers were on a 74-hour week schedule. The men responsible for work output noticed that all was not well with their factory hands. Morale was low. Absenteeism due to sick leaves was high. Spoiled work went up. Accidents were increasing. And the workers seemed to be edgy and irritable.

They had to do something to change the picture. So it was decided to reduce the required work hours each week at first from 74 to 64. Later on they went down to 54, but the work output remained the same.

They continued to experiment, and a few weeks later the administration decided to lessen the number of hours per week some more, this time to 48, and production went up 15 percent. Morale improved. Absenteeism due to sick leaves went down. Accidents were reduced. And the workers seemed to be happy and contented.

Winston Churchill, Great Britain’s wartime prime minister, spoke in the House of Commons on July 29, 1939, and declared: “If we are to win this war, it will be by staying power. For this reason we must have a one-day holiday each week, and a one week holiday each year.” This was enacted into law and the rest is history. The Allies won the war over the Axis powers.

Likewise, if we are to win the war against sickness, we must avail ourselves of the benefits of rest and recreation.