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Let It Go: For the Good of Your Body, Mind, and Longevity

3 minutes to read

Chain break off into doves

We’ve all been there. You argue with someone, and you can still feel your blood boiling the next day. 

Instead of letting it go, you hold on to disagreement. Letting it fester, growing like poison in your veins. Left unchecked, the argument saps you of your strength until you’re weakened beyond recovery.

Maybe a bit dramatic, but…

Studies show that holding onto anger and resentment can majorly affect your mental and physical well-being.

So instead of letting these emotions control you, why not free yourself by opting for the many positive opportunities that come from “letting go”?

Studies have shown that people who let go of their anger are:

• Less likely to suffer from heart problems ❤️

• Less likely to develop dementia or Alzheimer’s disease 🧠

• Less anxious 😌

• More likely to have healthy relationships 👩‍❤️‍👨

• More likely to have a strong immune system 💪

• More likely to live a longer life! (1) 🙌

Embracing the freeing possibilities of “letting go” can open your life up to entirely new experiences that will bring renewed energy and positive transformation.

Be A Better Friend

Two older female friends having tea and laughing

First and foremost, letting go of anger and resentment can help you maintain healthier relationships with those around you. Holding onto anger can lead you to become increasingly hostile or bitter toward those closest to you – potentially leading to arguments or even a communication breakdown.

On the other hand, when you let go of these negative feelings, you can maintain more positive relationships with your family members and friends. We become more capable of engaging with them in meaningful conversations instead of simply snapping at them out of frustration or resentment.

Having an open and honest conversation with those you care about can help nurture closer bonds rather than pushing people away due to our own negative emotions. 

Balance Your Hormones

Rocks balancing on each other with a beach backdrop

Similarly, letting go of anger can also benefit your physical health. Studies have shown that holding onto negative feelings like anger increases stress hormones such as cortisol in the body, which can have adverse effects such as increased headaches or trouble sleeping – both symptoms commonly associated with stress or anxiety. (2)

By letting go of your anger rather than allowing it to fester within yourself, you may find that physical ailments start reducing as a result. 

Be More Productive 

Older woman writing down notes in a garden

We’ve all heard the phrase, “Don’t let your emotions get the best of you.” That’s because letting yourself simmer in anger takes away from being productive in other areas. Instead of wallowing in negative thoughts, try to focus on the positives and find ways to move forward in a healthy way. 

Improve Your Mood 

Older man giving older woman piggy back ride in the park

Anger can be an intense emotion that clouds your judgment and leads you down a dark path. It’s important to remember that when you let go of your anger, you open yourself up to more positive vibes like gratitude or compassion. Studies have shown that being mindful and present can reduce stress levels and promote overall happiness.

Reduce Stress Levels 

An older woman relaxing

As mentioned before, stress levels greatly affect your overall health and well-being. When you hang onto grudges or become consumed by negative thoughts, your body releases hormones like cortisol which can lead to serious physical problems like fatigue or headaches over time.

The good news is that with practice, you can learn how to manage your stress levels and keep them low by simply taking some deep breaths and practicing positive affirmations.  

Be More Resilient

Back view of a man cheering as he reaches the mountain summit

Finally, another benefit associated with learning to let go of your anger is the ability to stay mentally healthy and resilient during difficult times. 

Negativity, such as resentment and bitterness, has been linked with decreased cognitive functioning due to its draining effect on emotional energy reserves – meaning we become less capable of dealing with problems effectively when they arise if these emotions consume us. 

In contrast, working on releasing these toxic feelings lets you look beyond current issues without being bogged down in unnecessary negativity. You become more capable of tackling future challenges without having any residual baggage from your past issues clouding your judgment when they arise.

There are many potential benefits associated with allowing yourself to let go of any lingering feelings of anger or resentment for you to remain mentally healthy and productive throughout life’s various situations, whether good or bad.

5 Tips on How to Let Go and Move on

Woman meditating in the living room

1. Acknowledge the disagreement and decide you’re going to move forward.

2. Put yourself in the other person’s shoes to understand why they may feel the way they do.

3. Practice mindfulness and take a few moments to let go of any negative emotions you may be holding onto.

4. Have an open and honest conversation, expressing your feelings calmly and respectfully instead of “venting” to release stress or anger.

5. Forgive and forget, understanding that you can still disagree while being kind to each other.

Support for Your Brain Health

Brain health-boosting supplements can positively impact your brain function, stress levels, and mood. Stonehenge Health’s Dynamic Brain provides potent dosages of essential vitamins and minerals, including Vitamin B, Bacopa, and Huperzine-A. Studies have shown that these ingredients can reduce stress and improve mood (3-5).

Don’t forget that two daily capsules of Dynamic Brain help improve your memory, focus, mental clarity, and cognitive function.

Letting go of anger is essential for maintaining high physical and mental health levels. Next time you’re angry about something, take a step back and think about how much better off you’ll be if you choose to take the high road instead. So don’t sweat the small stuff—it’s healthier for your body and soul!

Sources:
1. “Why Is It So Easy To Hold A Grudge?”. 2023. Mayo Clinic. | mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/forgiveness/art-20047692
2. “Holding A Grudge Produces Cortisol And Diminishes Oxytocin”. 2023. Psychology Today. | psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-athletes-way/201504/holding-grudge-produces-cortisol-and-diminishes-oxytocin
3. An acute, double-blind, placebo-controlled cross-over study of 320 mg and 640 mg doses of Bacopa monnieri (CDRI 08) on multitasking stress reactivity and mood – PubMed | pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23788517/
4. B Vitamins Play Important Roles in Mental Health Care | Psychology Today | psychologytoday.com/us/blog/integrative-mental-health-care/201709/b-vitamins-play-important-roles-in-mental-health-care
5.Administration of Huperzine A exerts antidepressant-like activity in a rat model of post-stroke depression – PubMed | pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28583576/

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