Forgiveness [Let it Be]

By: Kyle Roderick

Why you should bury the hatchet…and the handle

In the lifelong pursuit of mind and body well-being, don't overlook forgiveness—it's as beneficial as yoga or a good night's sleep. Research suggests that the release of negative emotions can unravel the effects of stress, helping to alleviate depression, boost the immune system, and improve cardiovascular health. "Forgiveness is important for maintaining mental health and preventing disease," says Dr. Steve Salvatore, medical director of Juva Health and Wellness Center in New York, where healing therapies have been designed to cultivate forgiveness. The act doesn't necessarily entail reconciliation or forgetting past wrongs; rather, it's an innate understanding that these events can't hurt you today. The more you forgive, the more you live—literally.