The Mayo Clinic Staff reports that researchers are claiming that, in addition to improving your spiritual health, forgiveness may have benefits for your physical health, too.  This is definitely something that warrants our attention!  It is being said that “letting go of grudges and bitterness can make way for compassion, kindness and peace, and that forgiveness can lead to:

•  Healthier relationships
• Greater spiritual and psychological well-being
• Less anxiety, stress and hostility
• Lower blood pressure
• Fewer symptoms of depression
• Lower risk of alcohol and substance abuse”

Well, this helps explain the statement I’ve heard and read again and again that if you experience a high level of gratitude you cannot be depressed.  This makes sense since depression is anger suppressed.  Imagine a line with frustration in the middle.  It can go either way- one end is depression(extremely suppressed anger) and the other is a high anger level – often in an inappropriate, aggressive way.

What about “unforgiveness” as a health risk, then?

The University of Maryland School of Medicine  is researching the connection between anger and  ”unforgiveness”. Anger is a component of unforgiveness and anger is a health risk.  Then is unforgiveness  a health risk  as well? Included in the research are studies with aids patients.  Knowing more about the nature and course of anger expression in the context of unforgiveness will ultimately help define and clarify this area of research.

Now I’ll share a few important points that can be helpful in letting go of anger- something I’ve learned as an Advanced EFT  (Emotional Freedom Techniques) Certified Practitioner in a training I attended and has been reinforced in trainings to facilitate Anger Management.

• As the victim, it’s OK to forgive only a small percent.
• Perhaps the other’s behavior was impacted by a chemical/emotional imbalance
• *** The other was doing what he/she knew how to do – perhaps learned – no matter.
• It’s possible that the action was not meant “personally” – it was simply an “M.O.”
• It’s impossible to change another person’s way of dealing; only your own.

If you or someone you love gets help with managing anger and/or letting it go as a victim, then stress is automatically addressed and therefore health will improve too!

 Balance & Power, Inc. has been addressing stress and anger management issues for two decades, corporately and  in the educational and private sectors, and is now facilitating Workplace Bullying Prevention trainings.

Download: Workplace Bullying Prevention Programs (pdf)

Bullying in the workplace, the schools and at home has reached epidemic proportions – it is our goal to help eliminate these type of situations. Eileen Lichtenstein, CEO, believes inner strength and being centered are keys to optimal productivity and happiness. She is a Certified Anger Management Specialist, accepted by the US courts, a former Biofeedback Practitioner and faculty member at HofstraUniversity.  Her office is in Wantgh, NY, the telephone, Video Skype or on your site.  

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• Stop Workplace Bullying Now!
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• How to Create an Attitude of Gratitude and Be Happier!

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