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By Amy Norton
NEW YORK, Mar 12 (Reuters Health) - "Forgive and forget" may be more than a nice sentiment. New research suggests it is also good health advice.
While some people may feel they have a right to hold grudges against those who hurt them, this unforgiving stance might take a toll on the body over time, according to a report in the March issue of Psychological Science. On the other hand, researchers say, granting forgiveness might help shield the body from certain harms.
Simply put, harboring a grudge is stressful. The body has "sub-systems" designed to deal with stressors, but constantly putting them to the test can inflict some "wear-and-tear," Dr. Charlotte vanOyen Witvliet of Hope College in Holland, Michigan, explained in an interview.
Indeed, some research has linked habitual anger, hostility and anxiety to a higher risk of heart problems. On the other hand, one recent study suggested that laughter boosts heart health.
Theoretically, Witvliet said, people who routinely ruminate over past wrongs may "chip away" at their physical health.
To measure the short-term effects of forgiveness and grudge-holding, Witvliet and her colleagues studied 71 men and women who described an experience in which a friend, family member or partner hurt them. They then had to follow scripts that simulated two conditions. In the "grudge condition," participants were prompted to "rehearse the hurt" and think about how the offenders should suffer for their transgressions. The "forgiveness condition" prompted participants to empathize with the offender and acknowledge that they, too, have hurt others.
Throughout both conditions, Witvliet's team measured participants' blood pressure, heart rate and other physiological responses.
The researchers found that when participants harbored grudges they reported more negative feelings, anger, sadness and a lack of control. What's more, their heart rates and blood pressure rose, and they showed greater nervous system activity.
What these short-term responses mean to long-term health is unclear, but Witvliet said that making grudges a habit might harm cardiovascular health over time. In addition, she noted, stress has been found to impair the immune system. A compromised immune system may have a host of health consequences, including greater vulnerability to infection.
While forgiveness was linked to better physical functioning in this study, Witvliet stressed that it is important for people to know what true forgiveness is.
The study participants were not asked to excuse or ignore the behavior of those who hurt them, but instead take a "merciful stance" toward them, she explained.
"It is certainly not about being a doormat," she said.
SOURCE: Psychological Science 2001;12
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