Grudges Block Happiness & Wellbeing
Here’s a simple strategy to help boost your sense of wellbeing: give up your grudges. Research suggests that forgiving others for whatever they did to upset or anger you can be so emotionally liberating that it can alter your physical perceptions, behavior, and athleticism. A study published in 2014 found that forgiveness induced people to perceive hills as less steep and reported that those who reflected on forgiveness were actually able to jump higher than people who were nurturing grudges. In addition, research has found that forgiveness can benefit your health in multiple ways – it can lower the risk of heart attack, improve cholesterol levels and sleep, reduce pain, blood pressure, levels of anxiety, depression and stress and even help you live longer. Letting go of anger, resentment and hostility also can lead to empathy and compassion for the person who wronged you. Bottom line: the more readily you’re able to forgive, the less likely you are to be depressed and anxious. And the more likely you are to experience happiness.
Source:
Xue Zheng et al, “The Unburdening Effects of Forgiveness.” Social Psychological and Personality Science.” December 23, 2014, doi.org/10.1177/1948550614564222
Also in this week’s bulletin:
