Three Little Words That Make You Healthier
Are you harboring a grudge? Maybe against the neighbor who sideswiped your mailbox and never fixed it? Or that ex who stomped all over your heart? Or the boss who laid you off? Saying "I forgive you" and meaning it (even if you only say it to yourself!) could have major payoffs for you, including a tougher immune system and healthier heart.
Why? Holding onto bitterness and hostility is like living with chronic stress: It releases a brew of feel-bad chemicals into your body that increase your heart rate, blood pressure, stomach acids, muscle tension and inflammation-triggering compounds. None are good, but the inflammation's worst. It encourages plaque buildup in your arteries, which cause heart attacks, impotence, wrinkles and strokes.
By contrast -- this is news, gang -- true forgiveness bolsters levels of T-cells. They're your immune system's crucial warrior brigade and battle viruses and other dangerous invaders. That's not all. Letting go of big grievances helps fight depression and anxiety, eases the toll of stress and can even relieve chronic pain.
So how do you get over a big hurt? It isn't about pretending that you weren't treated badly, and you don't have to become best buds with someone who did you wrong. Like we said, you don't even have to tell the other person you're over it. Start by recognizing that holding a grudge hurts you, not them. Whenever you find yourself tensing up about it, take some deep, calming breaths and move on. If it takes a while, fine. The person you're letting off the hook is you.
The YOU Docs, Mehmet Oz and Mike Roizen, are authors of "YOU: On a Diet."
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