What Studies About Forgiveness Reveal

Studies reveal the following about forgiveness:

• People who are more forgiving report fewer health problems
• Forgiveness leads to less stress
• Forgiveness leads to fewer physical symptoms of stress
• Failure to forgive may be more important than hostility as a risk factor for heart disease
• People who blame other people for their troubles have higher incidences of illnesses such as cardiovascular disease and cancers.
• People who imagine not forgiving someone show negative changes in blood pressure, muscle tension, and immune response.
• People who imagine forgiving their offender note immediate improvement in their cardiovascular, muscular, and nervous systems.
• Even people with devastating losses can learn to forgive and feel better psychologically and emotionally.