“(True devotion) embraces and discovers meaning in the little things: food and dress, work and relaxation, love and parenthood (…).“
Totum Amoris est, apostolic letter of the Holy Father Francis (28th Dec 2022)
After some thoughts on how to do our work taken from St Francis de Sales‘ Philothea or An Introduction to the Devout Life, follow along to glean advices from the field of his writings on how to relax well. Once again wisdom from Jesus ben Sirach (the book Ecclesiasticus in Sacred Scripture) will accompany the bishop‘s sayings.
Advice no. 1: Create moments of recreation for your body and mind
First of all, it is necessary to “relax the mind, and give the body some recreation“ (ibid., p. 214). It is part of a life of true devotion, not contrary to it.
“It is a failing to be so harsh and rigid that we will not allow ourselves or others to indulge in any recreation.“
St Francis de Sales: Philothea or An Introduction to the Devout Life, TAN Classics, p. 214
Naturally, the holy first day of the week, the blessed day of Christ‘s Resurrection, is a recreational day for body, mind, and soul that comes to our rescue each and every week.
But there should be moments of recovery and of filling up our exhausted cups every day – besides the good night sleep. What we do with our often quite limited free time is not always truly recreational though. It is a frequent temptation to waste time on things that merely masquerade as such but leave us in the same old depleted state or even worse. Therefore, we must learn to choose the good kinds of “amusements“.
Advice no. 2: Choose a praiseworthy “amusement“
“Air and exercise, cheerful games, music, field-sports, and the like, are such innocent amusements that they only require to be used with ordinary discretion, which confines all things to their fitting time, place, and degree.“
St Francis de Sales: Philothea or An Introduction to the Devout Life, TAN Classics, p. 214
“Those games which serve to exercise mental or bodily activity or skill (…) are praiseworthy amusements in themselves.“
The proper method for recreational activities is not to “zone out“ and sink into a passive state. Yet we are often inclined to do so whenever we take a break from our duties. While what body, mind and soul really need is simply a different kind of activity and stimulus than during the hours of work, and the other parts of the day, and sometimes that “activity“ could simply be sitting somewhere quietly, doing nothing in particular, sipping a cup of coffee or tea as one watches the world go by, the butterflies dance, the flowers of spring bloom and shine.
The best recreational activities are those that do in fact exercise body and mind in some shape or form, and that demand our activity and participation. Such “amusements“ are able to refresh us and renew our focus and attention.
“The stomach takes in all kinds of food but some foods are better than others.“
Ecclesiasticus 36: 18
Advice no. 3: Take pleasure in the activity of recreation
St Francis de Sales teaches that one may “lawfully take pleasure“ in one‘s chosen praiseworthy amusement – “otherwise it would not be a recreation“ (ibid., p. 215).
Just like it is allowed to take pleasure in food, the sensation of pleasure ordinarily being part of the restoration that eating a meal brings to us, a recreational activity can only be effective if we delight in it. So it is advisable to find activities that we are attracted to and able to enjoy.
Even though it must also be said that a good habit that is replacing a bad habit often is at first, in our immediate reaction, not very pleasurable for our spoiled taste. For what we find “pleasurable“ and “rewarding“ highly depends on the daily habits and routines we have established so far.
“Do not abandon yourself to sorrow; do not torment yourself on purpose. Gladness of heart makes human life; joy is what gives length of days. Indulge yourself and console your heart; chase sorrow far away – for sorrow has been the ruin of many and is no use to anybody. Jealousy and anger shorten your days, and worry brings premature old age. A light heart and a healthy appetite get the best out of a good meal.“
Ecclesiasticus 30: 21-25
Advice no. 4: Be moderate in all things
St Francis de Sales recommends a game of chess as one of the “praiseworthy amusements“ – yet in case one were to play chess “for five or six hours“ one would be “tired and exhausted“, and likewise “a long time spent in any active game instead of invigorating the body wearies it“ (ibid., p. 215).
“During your life, my child, see what suits your constitution: do not give it what you find disagrees with it; for not everything is good for everybody, nor does everybody like everything. Do not be insatiable for any delicacy, do not be greedy for food, for overeating leads to illness (…). (…) look after yourself and so prolong your life.“
Ecclesiasticus 37: 27-31
St Francis de Sales, patron saint of Catholic writers, pray for us!