Nearly everyone has been hurt from another person at some point or in some cases, many times in one’s life. A person may seek revenge, hold grudges, be chronically angry, sad, confused or hurt but these emotions are more detrimental to the person who has been hurt than the person that hurt them. Dwelling on hurtful situations can be detrimental to your health and well-being. Study after study has shown that forgiveness is good for the mind, body and soul. People who forgive usually score higher on almost every measure of psychological well-being. Forgiveness is not easy for most people. In order to forgive, a person has to make the decision to let go and learn to open your heart to forgiveness. The hurt or offense will always be part of you but forgiveness can help you focus on more positive parts of your life and lessen the grip that this person, event or emotions has on your life. Forgiveness does not give the person the right to have inflicted this hurt or offense on you, but can bring you some peace to move on with your life.
Letting go and forgiving can reap many positive health and well-being benefits such as:
- Can lower blood pressure and heart rate
- Decrease stress, anxiety, anger and depression
- Improve relationships
- Strengthen immune system
- Improve heart health
- Greater spiritual & psychological well-being
- Higher self esteem
- Increased life span