Reduce stress by forgiving

Tue, 29 Jul 2008

Measuring skin conductance, heart rate and facial electromyography (measuring minute electrical changes caused by facial muscles) have shown that much of the physical effects of unforgiveness occurs because people ruminate about offences, imagining and replaying the transgression.

Unforgiving imagery when compared to forgiving imagery was associated with high levels of arousal, eye muscle tensions, high heart rates and activation of sympathetic nervous system as measured by higher skin conductance.

In addition to higher blood pressure associated with unforgiveness compared to forgiveness .

The finding todate suggest that chronic unforgiving attitude is likely to contribute to health damage by perpetuating stress beyond the period of the original stressor, increasing cardiovascular activities during recall, imagining and replaying conversations about the hurt, in addition to diminishing cardiovascular recovery even when people try to focus on something else.

Contracted with a forgiving attitude, which provides a buffer to health damage by reducing these negative responses and through nurturing positive emotions in their place.

Forgiveness based on moral love or unconditional love has been shown to have a positive effect on one’s physical health such as reduced blood pressure, compared to those who have forgiven out of obligation.

Forgiveness research has opened the possibility for creating healthier individuals, reducing anger and building a more compassionate society.

EXERCISE:

Forgiveness (by Dav Panesar)


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