Mayo Clinic Archives - H e a l t h T h o u g h t s

To forgive and to be forgiven each benefit our health

February 27, 2014 By christianscienceminnesota 4 Comments

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Thoughts of unforgiveness aren’t good for us. They affect us like water in our car’s gas tank – we don’t run right. And those we won’t forgive can be affected too.

The health-giving effects of forgiving have been well documented, to the point of becoming common knowledge. Back in 2004, a Harvard Medical School publication summed up:

“Researchers found that mentally nursing a grudge puts your body through the same strains as a major stressful event…a link between forgiving someone for a betrayal and improvements in blood pressure and heart rate…those converting anger to compassion felt less pain and anxiety than those who received regular care.” (See also 11/23/11 report by the Mayo Clinic staff)

And that’s just about the body. Of course forgiveness can heal relationships and bring more peace and happiness.

The future of healthcare: Patient Choice

November 15, 2012 By christianscienceminnesota Leave a Comment

Check out this excerpt from the first post on my new Areavoices blog called,
Healthy Thinking Minnesota! It’s also featured in the West Central Tribune.

My wife and I recently saw the powerful documentary, “Escape Fire – the fight to rescue American healthcare”.

The film portrays a healthcare structure that’s designed for quick fixes rather than prevention or cure and is profit-driven rather than patient-driven. One message that came through loud and clear to us is that healthcare needs to be rescued from lack of choice – for doctors and especially for patients.

The “Escape Fire” phrase refers to a 63 year-old true story of wildfire fighters known as “smoke jumpers.” Several of them were trapped by a rapidly spreading fire and escape the top of the ridge appeared impossible.

Their crew chief, Wag Dodge, had an idea that was the perfect answer – but it was counter-intuitive. He actually started a fire, so that when the main fire reached that point there would be nothing left to burn. The others were either too frightened by that concept or misunderstood it and tried to run to safety.

Most of them perished. Dodge’s escape fire enabled him to hunker down in the already burnt area and survive.

Please click here to read the rest of this post in its original context…

Can forgiving and being forgiven improve your health?

April 26, 2012 By christianscienceminnesota Leave a Comment

During the last decade plus, there has been a growing number of studies showing the beneficial effects of forgiveness on the body. As far back as 2004, a Harvard Medical School publication) was able to sum up:

“Reduced stress. Researchers found that mentally nursing a grudge puts your body through the same strains as a major stressful event: Muscles tense, blood pressure rises, and sweating increases. Better heart health. One study found a link between forgiving someone for a betrayal and improvements in blood pressure and heart rate, and a decreased workload for the heart…Reduced pain. A small study on people with chronic back pain found that those who practiced meditation focusing on converting anger to compassion felt less pain and anxiety than those who received regular care.” (Also see 11/23/11 report by the Mayo Clinic staff)