Are you ready to forgive? A new study shows letting go is good for health.

Research conducted across five countries shows that when forgiveness is taught, practiced and achieved, the result is better mental and overall well-being

6 min

An illustration of a hand releasing a butterfly next two some daffodils, set against a blue sky. — (Chelsea Conrad/The Washington Post)

By Tara Parker-Pope

April 20, 2023 at 7:18 p.m. EDT

Early in his career as a marriage counselor, psychologist Everett Worthington noticed that many couples were angry about perceived slights and real wrongs — and he realized they could make progress only if they forgave each other.

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Those insights prompted Worthington to embark on a decades-long academic career studying the science of forgiveness.

By Tara Parker-Pope

Tara Parker-Pope is the Well+Being editor for The Washington Post. She was the founding editor of "Well" at the New York Times, where she won an Emmy Award and was part of the pandemic team awarded the Pulitzer Prize for public service. She also worked at the Wall Street Journal. She is a graduate of the Yale School of Public Health. https://twitter.com/taraparkerpope

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