Bee Healthy: Don’t let stress bum you out; try these 15 tips for happiness

There are so many distractions and stresses in our everyday life that it can be easy to feel robbed of being happy and enjoying life to the fullest. Here are some tips that may help you keep a positive focus.

1. Cultivate gratitude: Keep a journal and list one thing in your life that is a blessing every day.

2. Foster forgiveness: Holding a grudge or a lack of forgiveness can harm you more than the other person. Choosing to forgive can be powerful.

3. Counteract negative thoughts and feelings: When things seem to be going wrong, think about all of the things that are going right.

4. Connect with people: Social activities make life more fun!

5. Appreciate what you have: Many of the things we take for granted are luxuries in other countries.

6. Nurture relationships with family and friends: Spend quality time with the ones you love.

7. Play and have fun: Be a kid again. Throw a Frisbee, fly a kite, play catch.

8. Learn to love yourself: Write down all of the wonderful traits you have.

9. Live a healthy life: Eat fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat meats and dairy products. Eat less processed foods. Get outside and get moving.

10. Get adequate sleep and rest: Go to bed earlier to allow eight hours of sleep each night.

11. Manage your time and priorities: Get organized and focus on the things you are passionate about.

12. Control what you can control: Learn to say no.

13. Do things for others: Volunteering and helping others can give you a sense of purpose and fulfillment.

14. Make happiness a priority: If it’s important to you, it will more likely become a reality.

15. Choose to be happy: It’s much more fun than being unhappy!

This story was originally published May 2, 2015 at 5:11 PM with the headline "Bee Healthy: Don’t let stress bum you out; try these 15 tips for happiness."