Forgiving doesn’t mean forgetting, but by burying the hatchet, you take steps to boost your own well-being and ease your mind.

Feeling vengeful, in contrast, has health risks. You also may bring bitterness and hostility into relationships.

Choosing to forgive is a personal decision and the process can be difficult, but worthwhile.

Psychologist Dan Shoultz says there are 5 steps to unburden yourself:

• Recognize the true depth of an injury

• Grieve your losses

• Examine perceptions you have created about the world because of the injury

• Learn empathy skills

• Realize you can forgive and still maintain your integrity.