Many doctors, therapist and spiritual healers all agree it is in one's best interest to forgive and forget, but new research now gives evidence on short-term health benefits of adopting a forgiving attitude.

Conducted at the University of California, San Diego, the study revealed individuals who let go of their anger are less likely to have high blood pressure.

According to the Centers for Disease and Control and Prevention, nearly 68 million adults in the United States suffer from high blood pressure. African-Americans have a greater chance of developing high blood pressure compared to any other race.

Though occasional rises in blood pressure are not detrimental to one's health, over a period of time high blood pressure, which is also known as hypertension, may increase your chances of fatal conditions such as stroke, heart and kidney disease.

The study comprised of 202 volunteers who were instructed to reflect on a moment in time where a loved one or significant other offended them. Researchers divided the volunteers into two groups. Group one was instructed to think about how the situation angered them, whereas group two was encouraged to reflect on the incident in a more forgiving way. All participants were then distracted for five minutes. Following the distraction, researchers instructed all individuals to reflect on the occurrence again in any way they deem appropriate. All participants were connected to monitors in order to observe one's pressure levels and heart rate.

Lead study author Dr. Britta Larsen, discovered group one who was instructed to think about how an incident angered them, saw the greatest increase in blood pressure. Individual's heart rate should no considerable differences. Dr. Larsen and colleagues discovered forgiveness can lower the reactivity in both the initial cognitive process and during mental recreations. She believes forgiveness may offer "sustained protection."

For more ways to maintain a healthy and stable blood pressure visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or your local health care provider.

The study was published in the Journal of Biobehavorial Medicine.

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