Forgiveness is a healing process not only for the soul, but for the body as well, according to a recent study at Hope College in Holland, MI. Anger raises the blood pressure and heart rates, even when test subjects only tried to imagine an upsetting situation involving another person. On the other hand, when the same individuals were asked to imagine forgiving that person, their heart rates and blood pressure fell.

Anger and stress release the hormone Cortisol into the blood stream. Cortisol is known to tear the lining of the blood vessels. Anger also reduces an individual's resistance to infection and diseases, while increasing the risk of cancer.