The daily demands of the modern world have begun to spiral into worry and anxiety for many people. And in the midst of this frenetic pace, finding a state of serenity seems almost a utopia. We face constant decisionsendless distractions and a pace of life that leaves us little room for reflection.

Perhaps that is why a philosophy born from the minds of men more than two thousand years ago remains as valid as ever. We are talking about great thinkers from the schools of Stoicism and Epicureanism who agreed on the same concept.one that could be key to 21st century mental health: ataraxia.

What is ataraxia and how did ancient philosophers understand it?

Ataraxia, a term of Greek origin, is the “absence of disturbance.” It is a word with which the great philosophers of ancient times referred to a certain state of mental and emotional tranquility. This philosophical ideal It is based on the ability to remain unperturbed in the face of external circumstances, achieving a balance that allows you to enjoy the pleasures of life without succumbing to pain or anguish.

For the Epicureans, ataraxia was achieved through the satisfaction of natural and necessary desires, such as food, rest and friendship, while escaping with unnecessary pleasures, which generate dependence or suffering. Epicurus defended that a happy life was one in which pain was minimized and pleasure was cultivated in its purest and simplest form.

In a very different (and ironically similar) way, the Stoics viewed ataraxia as the result of living according to reason and virtue. For them, accepting what is happening in the world without resistance is key to maintaining inner calm. Thus, they sought to lead and promote a life based on self-awareness and control of emotions, one in which there is no place for fear or attachment to that which was beyond their control.

Although these two schools, in principle contrary, were not the only ones that spoke about ataraxia. Skeptics also hoped to achieve it through suspension of judgment (the epojéas they called it). By neither affirming nor denying any knowledge categorically, internal conflicts were avoided and a peace of mind was achieved that allowed one to navigate life without the disturbances of dogmatism.

And although each of these schools had its own path to ataraxia, The curious thing is that they agreed on two points.. Achieving it was key to happiness, and it depended on a certain type of detachment.

How to apply ataraxia in today’s world?

Drinking from these three philosophical doctrines, We can learn how to achieve ataraxia in the midst of our current crazy and frenetic world.. Although we do not live under the same circumstances as the ancient Greeks, their lessons are still surprisingly relevant.

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• Prioritize the essential. As Epicurus taught, it is important to distinguish between what we really need and what we want on impulse. Reflect on what is essential for your well-beingsuch as time with loved ones or good health, and avoid devoting energy to achieving ephemeral or superfluous pleasures.
• Accept what you can’t change. Following the example of the Stoics, learn to differentiate between what is under your control and what is not. Accepting circumstances that you cannot change will help you reduce anxiety and concentrate on what you can influence.
• Yessuspends unnecessary judgment. In true skepticism, avoid forming hasty or absolute opinions about people and situations. Adopt this habit as an exercise to keep your mind open and free of internal conflicts.which will foster greater serenity in your life.
• Mindfulness and other modern techniques. Meditation, mindfulness and minimalism, among other modern practices, They can help you work on the principles of ataraxia. These tools allow you to focus on the present, reduce distractions and cultivate a state of calm that benefits your mental and emotional health.
• Create spaces for calm. Dedicate a specific place in your house or your environment where you can disconnect from external noise. This space It should be a place of rest and peacein which to read, meditate or simply reflect, which will help you reinforce the state of tranquility that ataraxia pursues.