Forgiveness as a health tonic.

Scientists are great at studying and confirming the obvious Science now believes forgiveness is good for your health

Research suggests that forgiveness works in at least two ways. One is by reducing the stress of the state of unforgiveness, a potent mixture of bitterness, anger, hostility, hatred, resentment and fear (of being hurt or humiliated again). These have specific physiologic consequences such as increased blood pressure and hormonal changes linked to cardiovascular disease, immune suppression and, possibly, impaired neurological function and memory. One study examined 20 individuals in happy relationships, matched with 20 in troubled relationships. The latter had higher baseline levels of cortisol, a hormone associated with impaired immune function which shot up even further when they were asked to think about their relationships. “It happens down the line, but every time you feel unforgiveness, you are more likely to develop a health problem,” says Everett Worthington, executive director of A Campaign for Forgiveness Research.

The other benefit of forgiveness is more subtle; it relates to research showing that people with strong social networks of friends, neighbors and family tend to be healthier than loners. Someone who nurses grudges and keeps track of every slight is obviously going to shed some relationships over the course of a lifetime.

“In a way the most selfish thing you can do for yourself is to forgive other people.”