The cold days of winter are the ideal time to cultivate the warming practice of forgiveness. Why? Because the more you forgive, the healthier you live. Compelling research tells us that forgiveness can markedly reduce stress while enhancing immunity and mental well-being. Even more intriguing: a study by the Institute for Social Research published in the October 2001 Journal of Adult Development found that women were more forgiving as a group than men.
But how do we define forgiveness? How do we practice it? Rather than condoning a heinous act or accepting someone's hurtful behavior, "Forgiveness means off-loading the negative hold people or past events may exert over your emotions and behavior", says Kyle Roderick, editor of www.findbliss.com. "I know from my own experience that practicing forgiveness helps people improve physical and mental health", says Gopala Yaffe, yoga director at the One & Only Palmilla Resort & Spa in Los Cabos, Mexico. Here, guests can practice forgiveness during walking meditation sessions, yoga classes and other healing activities. You can practice forgiveness every day by spending a few minutes focusing on releasing negative energies from past events that haunt you. |
