The Science Behind Forgiveness+

The transformation that takes place on forgiveness+ is backed by real, proven science. 

For high-achievers, perfectionists, and relentless self-improvers, growth goes beyond mindset and rewires how your brain and body processes self-compassion, stress, and resilience. 

Here’s the evidence behind why grace works.

Self-Forgiveness = Stress Reduction

APA Study (2016): Practicing self-forgiveness reduces cortisol levels by 37%, lowering anxiety and improving emotional regulation.

Why this matters: Our Showing Yourself Grace framework is built to calm your nervous system, helping you break free from high-achiever stress patterns. 

Read the study: https://www.apa.org/monitor/2016/11/ce-corner

Perfectionism’s Hidden Cost

Curran & Hill (2019): Perfectionists experience twice the burnout rate, especially among high-performers. 

Here’s how we help: Read how Perfection is a Prison to help shift self-punishment into self-awareness, using data-driven strategies to reset your relationship with success. 

Explore the research: https://www.apa.org/pubs/journals/releases/bul-bul0000138.pdf 

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26231736

Writing as Healing

Pennebaker (1997): Expressive writing boosts immune function by increasing T-cell production, proving that emotional release impacts physical health. 

How we apply it: Our guided books and journals help you process emotional weight while activating physiological repair. 

See the findings: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1111/j.1467-9280.1997.tb00403.x 

Self-Compassion Rewires Your Brain

Harvard Medical School (2021): Phrases like “I’m learning” activate the prefrontal cortex, strengthening problem-solving skills. 

Your advantage: The 5-Day Grace Challenge help to retrain your brain to make self-kindness automatic, not optional. 

Learn more: https://www.health.harvard.edu/healthbeat/the-power-of-self-compassion 

Group Support Grows Your Brain

MIT (2022): Engaging in vulnerability within supportive groups thickens the insula, boosting empathy, emotional intelligence, and self-awareness. 

Our method: Live learning sessions from Showing Yourself Grace and our Forgiveness+ Membership help accelerate your healing through structured, high-impact connection.  

Study details: https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.1700489 

Guilt vs. Shame:  A Brain-Based Difference

University of Munich (2020): Guilt sparks problem-solving, while shame triggers avoidance, proving that how we label emotions changes their impact. 

Key insight: The 3 Types of Guilt framework helps you harness guilt productively, instead of letting it drive self-doubt. 

Read the fMRI evidence: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7253632 

Mindfulness Repairs Your Neurons

UC Davis (2021): Daily mindfulness increases BDNF, a protein that repairs brain cells, enhancing cognitive resilience. 

Built into Forgiveness+: Our meditations optimize this brain-healing process, making mindful self-compassion a tangible habit. 

Research summary: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.578877 

Your Next Step… 

Activate Grace as a Daily Practice!

Move beyond theory, and experience actionable change, rooted in science and tailored for your high-achieving mind. 

Are you ready to implement proven strategies that shift how you lead, think, and live?

Join the journey.

Build resilience.

Lead with grace.

Start Here