Exercise and rest

Periods of bodily exercise alternate with periods of rest. During the former the muscles become tired and the energy resources of the body are depleted. During the latter muscle tone is recovered and the energy resources are regenerated.

A society may exert itself for a period, whether a working day, week or longer. A period of rest is then necessary. This may be especially necessary following exceptional effort such as in a war.

During the work portion of the cycle the body exhibits signs of the degree of need for rest. During the rest portion of the cycle, restlessness gradually emerges as an indicator of the need for renewed activity.

In society work may be variously considered as an unfortunate necessity or as an unmitigated good, with rest as a wholly desirable condition or as an unfortunate necessity. This is even extended to retirement as a desirable endstate after an unfortunate number of working years.

Such perceptions have been further confused by the unemployment crisis and the possibility of extended leisure. The transition between the two conditions is seldom smooth and often perceived schizophrenically.