Sophrosyne: An Ancient : Lesson on Mental and Physical Wellness

We’ve given our blog a makeover and will be posting weekly dives into some of our favorite topics. We want to help you know yourself, as inspired by the Delphic precept “know thyself” as inscribed at the temple of Apollo and quoted by many.

‘The pleasures that come least frequently give most enjoyment.’ - Democritus

If you are part of the Greek diaspora, I’m sure this quote will resonate with you. Throughout the year, we crave the euphoria we feel when we travel to Greece, and as soon as we leave, we begin counting down the days until we return. However, this quote can serve us in other ways beyond highlighting our sadness at not knowing when we’ll next touch down at Athens airport; it also teaches us about the importance of balance and restraint from chasing happiness in material things. In other words, are you letting things outside yourself rule your happiness, or can you find it from within? If you’re thinking: sounds neat enough, but it doesn’t change the fact that nothing would make me happier than a freddo cappuccino at a Greek island beach bar, this post is for you!

These ideas are the essence of sophrosyne, an Ancient Greek philosophy that connotes a healthy state of mind, moderation, and equilibrium. In the Republic, Plato suggested that it was achieved by creating a cohesive relationship between the three parts of the soul. Significantly for us at Yia Mas, Hippocrates and Plato also used the concept to stress the interconnectedness of mental and physical health; in fact, Plato argued that the ultimate goal of the physician was to foster sophrosyne in the patient, as remedies to their physical ailments would not take effect otherwise. We now have heaps of scientific evidence that shows the dire importance between mental well-being and our overall physical health. They’re inextricably interconnected!

Though today these ideas are fundamental to wellness practices around the world, at the time, the concept faced opposition. After the Peloponnesian War, it came to imply cowardice and extreme caution. In Thucydides’ oration at Pericles’ funeral, he contrasted Pericles’ moderation with the greed of those who overtook him in success. This fell into a general literary trend of the presentation of a defeat of morals like justice and sophrosyne by pleonexia (extreme greed for material wealth) and ambition after the war. As you can probably surmise, similar values continue to play out and wreak destruction to humankind.

In spite of its contentiousness in antiquity, the lessons that the philosophy of sophrosyne can teach us in our modern era are valuable. It’s all too easy to forget the importance of taking the time out of our busy schedules to take care of our mental health, but, as Plato would have us know, the cultivation of a healthful and balanced state of mind is fundamental to our physical wellbeing. So here’s your cue to set some time aside today to practice self-care, in whatever way that may mean for you. 

If you’re looking for help with your self-care routine, check out one of our digital workshops! Each includes meditation or mindful movement, and many applicable tips for living well and with ease. #namastekala

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Post co-authored by Yia Mas editorial fellow Sophie Comninos

Ancient philosophyKristina Headrickancient greece, Plato, Plato's republic, sophrosyne