The value of temperance as a key to psychological well-being

There are human virtues and strengths that we should all develop much more. Temperance, understood as the capacity for self-control and self-regulation in the face of life’s events, is a cardinal point of well-being. It is that internal compass that guides us to find calm in the middle of the storm, that psychological enclave that allows you to manage stress, fear or anguish.

Saint Thomas said that temperance is a disposition of the mind that contains the impulses. For Aristotle, a great analyst of the soul, it was the component that should accompany intelligence. This dimension, sometimes forgotten by the world of psychology, but widely explored by philosophy, contains valuable human tools that are worth promoting.

In times of change, uncertainty and constant pressure, it is good to have an inner mooring. Staying temperate goes beyond being moderate or containing certain reactions. It is, above all, a perspective, an approach to well-being that is as interesting as it is valid.

Temperance: general considerations

Next, we will review some general considerations on temperance made by Sarmiento (2002).

Temperance as “orientation towards good”

The function of temperance is equated with the verbs “moderate”, “maintain”, “ensure”. These words clearly indicate that Temperance is a virtue oriented towards the good and lordship of oneself. It is characteristic of every virtue to perfect freedom so that the person, acting by himself, acts well.

Temperance as “order” and inner harmony

The Ethics treatises refer to temperance as the virtue of personal discipline. She looks at the man himself and the order within him. It is a virtue in which it counts, above all, the internal disposition of the subject. The Temperance has as its object the good within oneself, it seeks order within one’s own self.

The “balance in the use of created goods”

Temperance moderation consists of put rightness in the use of those goods. But, as a virtue of personal discipline, good use or righteousness is only the consequence. First and foremost, temperance is mastery over the will, instincts and desires: balance and harmony within oneself. Through it we seek to moderate and try to love, desire and enjoy sensible goods in a balanced way..

Psychological temperance, what does it consist of?

Temperance is a very recent field of interest in psychology. The first to talk about this dimension were Martin Seligman and Christopher Peterson in 2004.. It was in his now classic Manual of Virtues and Strengths of Character where they included, among the set of six virtues, temperance.

Previously, the focus that Aristotle had provided stands out above all, by linking this dimension with prudence, justice and courage. Character traits, all of which made up the inevitable sign of intelligence in the person. Likewise, it should be noted that Medieval philosophers saw temperance as the genitrix virtutum (the mother of all virtues).

The significance of this term is more important than we think. After all, the temperate person demonstrates an inescapable talent for handling the complexity of life. And that is something we would all like to aspire to. It is being able to face things calmly, but keeping insight open. It is controlling the impulse, but without losing sensitivity.

Knowing all this, we understand why psychology right now shows a particular interest in this area. Developing it can be key to daily well-being. Let’s look at some reasons.

Temperance as a mediator in our relationships

Just a few weeks ago, the magazine Frontiers in Psychology published research carried out by five universities of great international prestige. Purpose? Show that, currently, Developing temperance in people should be another area of ​​psychological intervention.

One of its benefits is to enable us to have better skills in social and emotional relationships. Temperance is a human virtue that is made up of a series of very specific components:

The ability to forgive. The temperate person is one who knows how to remove grudges through forgiveness to move forward in a serene manner, free of hatred, resentments and internal splinters.The humility that covers temperance. That’s right, the humble approach is one that does not use artifices to relate. As the author of this work, Dr. Whortington, explains to us, humility is that oil that greases our social relationships and makes them easier. Being humble brings harmony to every relationship.

If temperance is a mediator in our relationships, it is also due to the exercise of patience. That attitude to live in the here and now, directing the gaze and the heart towards what is relevant in each circumstance, is the key to well-being.

Mastering the art of patience would also allow us to cushion the weight of stress and the itch of “I want it now”, which will allow us to flow in a more rewarding way in our relationships.

The tempered mind, the self-control guided approach

Why is self-control so important for psychological well-being? For several reasons. The first and most obvious, so as not to regret everything we do. The second, to live in harmony in our environment and in each situation, adapting better to each circumstance.

Let’s think about it. The person with adequate temperance is the one who manages to regulate their emotions and impulses to promote more effective behaviors.. It is being able to discipline the mind to successfully conquer any proposed objective. Who wouldn’t want something like that?

Temperance, the best ally of intelligence

Although temperance was part of that manual of human virtues defined by Seligman (exponent of positive psychology) This dimension is also integrated into another approach. We are talking about the so-called Second Wave or second wave of positive psychology.

This is a perspective initiated by psychologists Itai Ivtzan, Tim Lomas and Kate Hefferon who open up a new approach, a new vision to remind us of something obvious. Life has very dark parts and we can’t always escape from them. Sometimes, we are forced to travel through dark tunnels, through hollows and winding paths.

Finally, temperance is a great companion in those dark days. It is the best ally of intelligence because it gives you serenity, perspective and calm. Measure to decide better. Clarity to see things better. Light to guide you without haste. Self-control to master impulses, emotions and frustrations.

Let us begin today to develop it, to make temperance our best virtue.

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