St Thomas Aquinas' remedies for sadness

Sadness is an emotion affecting many people today. Saint Thomas Aquinas described sorrow as a passion arising from a present evil that feels difficult to overcome. Emotions themselves are morally neutral; they are neither good nor bad. Yet in many Christian circles, there can sometimes be an unspoken expectation to remain cheerful and joyful at all times. The reality, however, is that life contains seasons of grief and heaviness, and some people by nature of their temperament, are more inclined toward sadness than others.

In the Summa Theologiae, St Thomas offers several simple yet deeply human remedies for sorrow and pain.

The first remedy Saint Thomas proposes is seeking honest and wholesome delight. Joy found in good things, such as one’s favourite food or drink, spending time with family or friends, a hobby, or even a change of scenery can help lighten the weight of sorrow. Small pleasures do not erase suffering, but they can bring moments of relief and restore strength to a weary spirit.

The second remedy is tears. Crying allows sorrow to be expressed rather than buried. Our emotions are not meant to remain trapped within us; they seek expression. Within moderation, it is healthy to give voice to what we carry interiorly. Saint Isaac the Syrian wrote that tears soften the heart and cleanse the soul. He saw tears in prayer as a sign that the heart is becoming more alive to God.

The third remedy is friendship. There is truth in the saying that ‘a burden shared is a burden lightened’. The compassion and presence of another person can bring great consolation. When someone listens to us with love, we feel seen, heard, and understood. No one is meant to carry sorrow entirely alone. Friendship reminds us that we are accompanied even in suffering.

The fourth remedy is the contemplation of truth. In times of sorrow, it can help to hold firmly to certain truths: that God sees us, knows us, and remains near to us. Scripture reminds us that “all things work together for good for those who love God.” Reflecting on God’s promises can strengthen the soul to persevere. The saints and martyrs endured suffering by fixing their hearts on eternal hope, trusting that the sorrows of this life cannot compare with the joy prepared in heaven.

Finally, Saint Thomas speaks of the restorative value of sleep, and even baths. Sleep refreshes the mind, and care for the body can ease emotional burdens as well. Human beings are both body and soul, and sometimes simple acts of care become part of healing.

If I may add a seventh, I would suggest Christian music and singing. When the heart is weighed down by pain and sorrow, one of the best things we can do is lift our souls to the Lord through praise. King David wrote many psalms expressing not only joy, but also grief, betrayal, abandonment, and despair. Whether through Gregorian Chant or Praise & Worship, music and melody have a way of renewing and uplifting the weary soul.

Sorrow is morally neutral and can be fitting for a particular season of life. What matters for spiritual growth is how we respond to it—whether we allow it to lead us toward truth, prayer, love, and compassion, rather than into despair. Every life passes through seasons of grief, disappointment, and loss, yet even in those times the Christian life offers a way to endure suffering with hope. As Scripture says, “Those who sow in tears shall reap in joy” (Psalm 126), and one day God “will wipe away every tear from their eyes” (Revelation 21:4).