FORGIVING HEALS YOUR HEART

In this season, when the sacrament of reconciliation is in focus, let us revisit how the act of forgiving actually heals your heart.

- MYLENE MENDOZA-DAYRIT

The notable hopkinsmedicine.org published an article on how your health depends on forgiveness. They claim that unresolved or long-held resentment may actually be affecting your physical health.

"The good news: Studies have found that the act of forgiveness can reap huge rewards for your health, lowering the risk of heart attack; improving cholesterol levels and sleep; and reducing pain, blood pressure, and levels of anxiety, depression and stress. And research points to an increase in the forgiveness-health connection as you age," they said.

Dr. Karen Swartz, director of Mood Disorders Adult Consultation Clinic at The Johns Hopkins Hospital, added: "There is an enormous physical burden to being hurt and disappointed. Chronic anger puts you into a fight-or-flight mode, which results in numerous changes in heart rate, blood pressure and immune response. (Forgiveness) is an active process in which you make a conscious decision to let go of negative feelings, whether the person deserves it or not."

When you let go of the negative (anger, resentment and hostility), you replace the void with empathy and compassion. A recent survey of the Fetzer Institute revealed that 62 percent of American adults said they need more forgiveness in their personal lives.

People who are more naturally forgiving are more satisfied with their lives. They are not burdened by depression, anxiety, stress, anger and hostility. People who don't bury the hatchet are more likely to fall into severe depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.