Are your favorite self-help hacks age-old Catholic habits?
In this episode of The Catholic Gentleman, John Heinen and Devin Schadt explore how many popular self-help techniques today are deeply rooted in Catholic tradition!
1. Dopamine Motivation
Self-help experts often talk about finding joy in meaningful work and harnessing dopamine for motivation. Devin points out that “monks, religious and cloistered sisters who pray, work, sacrifice, and serve, are so joyful and fulfilled, because their brains are constantly releasing dopamine, because they’re continually and constantly striving toward the goal of mystical union with God and arriving at heaven.”
2. Intermittent Fasting
Intermittent fasting is hailed now for its health benefits, but John shares “our tradition of intermittent fasting is something that the Catholic Church has suggested and practiced in various ways for millennia.”
3. Getting Morning Sunlight
Science has shown benefits to morning sunlight. Devin explains Catholics have actually long greeted the rising sun as a symbol of Christ. “The monks and the religious awake prior to the sunrise, they would greet the sun rising in the East, a symbol of the great Son of God who they would greet with their praises.”
4. Exercise “Snacking”
Breaking up exercise into small sessions throughout the day is a recent trend, but monks have practiced this for centuries. “Where did they get this idea? Well, you guessed it, from the monastic tradition founded by St. Benedict with ‘Ora et Labora’—pray and work,” says Devin.
5. Decision Fatigue
Tech leaders like Mark Zuckerberg are famous for wearing the same outfit daily to minimize decisions. John explains “wearing the same wardrobe comes back from monastic tradition, they are showing this outward-facing testament to the world.” Adopting simple habits helped monks focus more on prayer and labor and less on worldly anxieties.
The gentlemen say adopting these practices that originate from the Church’s understanding of the nature of man can greatly help improve your life!
Watch this episode below 👇
Have you tried any of these ‘life hacks’ before?
Credit: George Ryan via ChurchPOP
