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When you think of forgiveness, you probably don't think of it as being a health or medical issue.
But studies from Stanford University show that something as abstract as letting go of anger can have a big impact on your overall well being.
When comic book characters like the incredible Hulk get angry, they turn different colors but often gain remarkable powers.
In the real world, anger is less visual and potentially more damaging.
That's why professor Fred Luskin, founder of the Stanford Forgiveness Project and author of "Forgive For Good", says holding on to anger and resentment can harm your physical and mental health.
Two new studies seem to back that up.
The studies found that people who are able to forgive have reduced symptoms of stress, including less back pain and less depression.
They also have fewer headaches, lower blood pressure, and fewer problems sleeping.
So regardless of whether your anger is caused by the traffic or just the daily grind, learning to let it go is essential.
Techniques such as deep breathing or meditation can help. Or just asking yourself if it's worth it to hurt yourself by staying angry at someone else.
Instead in the immortal words of Young Frankenstein, try to accept those problems with "quiet dignity and grace".....
Laughing at problems is a start to letting go of the anger. But forgiveness does not mean simply accepting that what happened to you is ok.
Instead it's a way of making peace with yourself about the past. It can't hurt. And it very well may help.
