Apologies, Forgiveness & Gratitude
Research
suggests that embracing attitudes of forgiveness and gratitude has positive benefits
for a person’s physical and mental health!
“An apology can lower
your levels of anxiety and stress, reduce your blood pressure, decrease your
risk of having alcohol or other substance abuse problems, and can result in a
reduction in the symptoms of depression” states Dr. Scott Haltzman, M.D.
Forgiveness has many
positive physical health benefits. Frederic
Luskin from Stanford University states that when we are willing to forgive, and
learn to forgive, we can actually experience much fewer symptoms of stress such
as backache, muscle tension, dizziness, headaches, and upset stomachs. Our appetites, sleep patterns, energy levels,
and general well-being can also improve.
The positive mental health benefits of forgiveness include reducing hurt
feelings, anger, stress, and depression.
Learning to forgive helps us to become more hopeful, optimistic, and
compassionate.
Gratitude isn’t just a
feel-good idea. Ron Cathey from
Louisiana Tech University states that research reveals gratitude can improve
physical health, mental health, life longevity and interpersonal relationships.
Counseling Today/January 2012; The Benefits of Forgiveness and
Gratitude, Lynne Shallcross
For more information
and insight on apologies, forgiveness, and gratitude contact Monica Forsman,
M.Ed., LCMHC at Resilient Solutions, Inc., in Bountiful, Utah.
