Forgiveness can help reduce:*1 pointStress and anxietyPhysical painBoth a and bNeither a nor b

Forgiveness is a psychological process that can have significant benefits for mental and physical health. Research indicates that practicing forgiveness helps individuals let go of resentment and anger, which can be major contributors to stress and anxiety. When a person holds onto negative feelings, it can result in chronic stress responses that negatively affect both mental and physical health.

1. Stress and Anxiety: When we forgive, we often experience a reduction in emotional burden, leading to decreased levels of stress hormones such as cortisol. This can create a more relaxed state of mind.

2. Physical Pain: Psychological studies suggest that emotional states can affect physical health. Chronic stress and unresolved emotional conflicts can manifest as physical pain. Therefore, forgiveness may help alleviate some of these pain symptoms by reducing the emotional strain.

In conclusion, since both stress and anxiety along with physical pain can be positively affected by forgiveness, the most appropriate answer from the options provided is Both a and b.