Josephine Langworthy Rathbone (June 25, 1899 – July 3, 1989) was an American physiologist whose research and work involved physical education and relaxation.

[4] Rathbone spent a summer at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, and taught at New Britain Normal School as a new college graduate.

She emphasized the need for American troops, athletes, and working women to learn and practice relaxation techniques for better health and performance.

[1] She wrote a popular textbook in her field, Corrective Physical Education (1934),[12] and Recreation in Total Rehabilitation (1959, with Carol Lucas).

[13] She also wrote books for a general readership, including Health in Your Daily Living (1948, with Frank S. Rathbone)[14] and Teach Yourself to Relax (1957).

[15] "In this chaotic world, with its widespread political and economic experimentation," she wrote in the opening lines of another book, Relaxation (1943), "the human element is threatened as never before.