A plethora of current research in medicine and in clinical psychology today is proving a truth that religions have preached for centuries: forgiveness is one of the most important health habits a person can have. There are now 1200 published studies in medical research and clinical psychology about the physical dangers of resentment and the effectiveness of forgiveness in reducing physical stress symptoms. (Only 58 studies in 1997.)

1. One study links marital distress to dangerous thickening of the heart wall, just like smoking.
   
2. Studies at Ohio State University have shown that arguments between spouses can increase stress hormones that weaken the immune system.
   
3. "Women heart patients with stress from marriage difficulties were three times more at risk of heart attack than women without such stress." Journal of the AMA.
   
4. There is a 33% greater likelihood of heart attacks and strokes on a Monday morning among working individuals. This is possibly linked with stress factors related to heavy traffic and high rate of job stress and dissatisfaction. Harris Interactive survey sponsored by Biovail Pharmaceuticals
   
5. "Various studies have linked the state of unforgiveness (bitterness, anger, hostility, hatred, resentment, and fear) with a specific physiologic consequences such as increased blood pressure and hormonal changes that are linked to cardiovascular disease, and immune suppression." Newsweek, Sept. 2004
   
6. Hope College in Michigan study shows a physiological response to remembering past hurts: increased blood pressure, increased heart rate, and higher muscle tension.
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7. Duke University Medical Center study showed a decrease of back pain and depression and overall lower levels of chronic pain in people who learned to forgive.
   
8. Current research shows that people who receive training in forgiveness experience significant reduction in depression, and gain in self-confidence, vitality, and hope. -Christian Science Monitor, Dec. 2002
   
9. "Forgiveness reduces anger and stress, and 60 - 90% of all physician visits are stress-related." Herbert Benson, president of Harvard’s Mind/Body Medical Institute
   
10. The Stanford Forgiveness Project showed that people who forgave a specific offense experienced a 70% decrease in the feelings of emotional hurt, 13% decrease in long term anger, 27% decrease in physical stress symptoms, such as headache, backache, sleeplessness, and upset stomach, and a 34% increase in good will towards the offender.
    
11. Those in our forgiveness training "went from severe and moderate depression to a non depressed state. This state was maintained when reviewed four months later, and was accompanied with an increase of self-confidence regarding the prior difficult situation." Dr. Robert Enright, International Institute of forgiveness.