It's an irony of our modern lives that while technology is continually invented that saves us time, we use that time to do more and more things, and so our lives are more fast-paced and hectic than ever.

    Life moves at such a fast pace that it seems to pass us by before we can really enjoy it.

    However, it doesn't have to be this way. Let's rebel against a hectic lifestyle and slow down to enjoy life.

    A slower-paced life means making time to enjoy your mornings, instead of rushing off to work in a frenzy. It means taking time to enjoy whatever you're doing, to appreciate the outdoors, to actually focus on whoever you're talking to or spending time with - instead of always being connected to a Blackberry or iPhone or laptop, instead of always thinking about work tasks and emails. It means single-tasking rather than switching between a multitude of tasks and focusing on none of them.

    Slowing down is a conscious choice, and not always an easy one, but it leads to a greater appreciation for life and a greater level of happiness.

    Here's how to do it.

    1. Do less. It's hard to slow down when you are trying to do a million things. Instead, make the conscious choice to do less. Focus on what's really important, what really needs to be done, and let go of the rest. Put space between tasks and appointments, so you can move through your days at a more leisurely pace. Read more.

    2. Be present. It's not enough to just slow down - you need to actually be mindful of whatever you're doing at the moment. That means, when you find yourself thinking about something you need to do, or something that's already happened, or something that might happen … gently bring yourself back to the present moment. Focus on what's going on right now. On your actions, on your environment, on others around you. This takes practice but is essential.

    3. Disconnect. Don't always be connected. If you carry around an iPhone or Blackberry or other mobile device, shut it off. Better yet, learn to leave it behind when possible. If you work on a computer most of the day, have times when you disconnect so you can focus on other things. Being connected all the time means we're subject to interruptions, we're constantly stressed about information coming in, we are at the mercy of the demands of others. It's hard to slow down when you're always checking new messages coming in.

    4. Focus on people. Too often we spend time with friends and family, or meet with colleagues, and we're not really there with them. We talk to them but are distracted by devices. We are there, but our minds are on things we need to do. We listen, but we're really thinking about ourselves and what we want to say. None of us are immune to this, but with conscious effort you can shut off the outside world and just be present with the person you're with. This means that just a little time spent with your family and friends can go a long way - a much more effective use of your time, by the way. It means we really connect with people rather than just meeting with them.

    5. Appreciate nature. Many of us are shut in our homes and offices and cars and trains most of the time, and rarely do we get the chance to go outside. And often even when people are outside, they're talking on their cell phones. Instead, take the time to go outside and really observe nature, take a deep breath of fresh air, enjoy the serenity of water and greenery. Exercise outdoors when you can, or find other outdoor activities to enjoy such as nature walks, hiking, swimming, etc. Feel the sensations of water and wind and earth against your skin. Try to do this daily - by yourself or with loved ones.

    6. Eat slower. Instead of cramming food down our throats as quickly as possible - leading to overeating and a lack of enjoyment of our food - learn to eat slowly. Be mindful of each bite. Appreciate the flavors and textures. Eating slowly has the double benefit of making you fuller on less food and making the food taste better. I suggest learning to eat more real food as well, with some great spices （instead of fat and salt and sugar and frying for flavor）.

    7. Drive slower. Speedy driving is a pretty prevalent habit in our fast-paced world, but it's also responsible for a lot of traffic accidents, stress, and wasted fuel. Instead, make it a habit to slow down when you drive. Appreciate your surroundings. Make it a peaceful time to contemplate your life, and the things you're passing. Driving will be more enjoyable, and much safer. You'll use less fuel too.

    8. Find pleasure in anything. This is related to being present, but taking it a step farther. Whatever you're doing, be fully present … and also appreciate every aspect of it, and find the enjoyable aspects. For example, when washing dishes, instead of rushing through it as a boring chore to be finished quickly, really feel the sensations of the water, the suds, the dishes. It can really be an enjoyable task if you learn to see it that way. The same applies to other chores - washing the car, sweeping, dusting, laundry - and anything you do, actually. Life can be so much more enjoyable if you learn this simple habit.

    9. Single-task. The opposite of multi-tasking. Focus on one thing at a time. When you feel the urge to switch to other tasks, pause, breathe, and pull yourself back. Read more.

    10. Breathe. When you find yourself speeding up and stressing out, pause, and take a deep breath. Take a couple more. Really feel the air coming into your body, and feel the stress going out. By fully focusing on each breath, you bring yourself back to the present, and slow yourself down. It's also nice to take a deep breath or two - do it now and see what I mean. :）

    具有讽刺意味的一件事情是，现代科技不断地为我们节省时间，我们却用这些时间来干越来越多的事情，使得我们的生活的节奏比以前更快和更加繁忙。

    生活的节奏如此之快以至于当我们还没有真正的享受生活的时候它却已经离我们远去了。

    尽管如此，这也并不是不可以改变的。让我们抛弃这样的生活方式，慢下来去享受生活。

    慢的生活节奏意味着享受早晨的时光，而不是疯狂的急匆匆的去上班。它意味着去享受你正在做的一切事情，享受户外，真正的投入你正在进行的谈话或者和某个人一起消磨的某段时间，而不是总被你的黑莓手机、iphone或者笔记本电脑打断，也不是总想着你的工作任务和电子邮件。它意味着一次只进行一项任务，而不是在多个任务之间来回变换，没有真正关注其中的任何一个。

    慢下来是一种有意识的选择，而且并不那么容易，但是它却指向对生活更加深刻的认识和更高层次的幸福。

    这里有一些方法。

    1.做得少一些。当你想要干成百上千件事情的时候是很难慢下来的。有意识的少做一些。关注那些真正重要的，真正需要做的，把剩下的放弃掉。给每一个任务和约会之间留一些空间，这样你可以以悠闲地节奏度过每一天。

    2.关注当前。光慢下来是不够的--你需要留意当前你所做的任何事情。也就是说，当你发现自己正在思考你该干什么，或者已经发生地事情，或者可能会发生的事情……缓慢的将你自己拉回到当前。关注现在正在发生地事情。对于你的行动，对于你周围的环境，对于你周围的其他人你都应该这样。这需要一定的练习，但是也是最根本的东西。

    3.脱离网络。不要总是在线。如果你随身携带着iphone或者黑莓手机或者其它移动设备，关闭它。更重要的是，在可能的情况下，别带着它。如果你一天的大部分时间都在使用电脑，腾出一些不在线的时间来干干其它事情。总是在线意味着我们要被打断，我们不断处于到来的信息的压力之下，我们处于满足其他人需求的紧急状况之中。当你总是查看到来的新的信息的时候是很难慢下来的。

    4.把注意力放在人的身上。我们常常花时间与朋友、家人或者和同事在一起，但是我们并非真的和他们在一起。我们和他们谈话，但是却被身边的设备分心。我们是在那里，但是我们的思想却是在我们需要做的事情上。我们是在倾听，但是我们却是在想着我们自己和我们想说些什么。我们没人对此有免疫力，但是在有意识的努力下，你可以关闭外部的世界，仅仅只和当前和你在一起的人在一起。这意味着只需要很少一点时间和家人和朋友在一起，但却可以走的更长远--也就是说，更有效的利用你的时间。这意味着我们真正的和别人连接在一起，而不是仅仅只是和他们碰个面。

    5.赞赏大自然。我们之中的大部分人的大多时间都被关在家里、办公室、汽车还有火车里，很少有机会外出。而且就算是外出，他们都在打手机。改变一下，花些时间外出，真正的观察大自然，在新鲜的空气里做一个深呼吸，享受水流和绿色的宁静。可能的话做一些户外运动，找一些喜欢的户外活动，比如散步、远足、游泳等等。感受水流、风和泥土触摸你皮肤的感觉。尝试着每天都这么做--一个人或者和你所爱的人。

    6.吃得慢一些。不要尽可能快的把食物填满我们的喉咙--这样会导致我们吃的太多，并且享受不到食物带给我们的快乐，学着吃得慢一些。每一口都仔细品味。欣赏食物的味道和质地。吃得慢一些有两个好处，不仅可以让你吃得少一些就能吃饱，还可以让食物更美味。我建议尝试吃更多有着非常好的香料的真正的食物（少吃一些脂肪、盐、糖含量高和油炸的东西）.

    7.开车慢一些。开快车在我们这个快节奏的世界里是一个相当普遍的习惯，它也要为大量的交通事故、压力和汽油的浪费负责，在你开车的时候要养成慢下来的习惯。赞赏你周围的景色。让开车的时间成为你考虑你的生活和你错过的事情的一段悠闲的时间。这样驾驶也就更让人享受，也更安全。也会更省油。

    8.在所有事情中寻找乐趣。这和关注当前是有关系的，但是要更深入一些。无论你在干什么，完全要关注当前……而且要赞赏它的每一方面，寻找让人享受的一面。比如，当洗碟子的时候，不要把它当成一个单调的琐事，想要尽快完成它，真正的去感受水、清洁剂和盘子。如果你能以这种方式来看的话，它就会真的成为一项让人享受的任务。对于其它的琐事也一样--洗车，打扫、除灰尘、洗衣服等等。如果你能学会这项简单的习惯的话，生活真的可以让人如此享受。

    9.单一任务。和多项任务相反。一次只关注一件事。当你想要更换到另外一项任务时，暂停下来、呼吸、将你自己拉回来。

    10.呼吸。当你发现自己节奏变快、压力变大的时候，暂停，做一个深呼吸。多做几个。真实的感觉到空气进入你的身体，压力跑出来。全身心的关注每一次呼吸，你可以将自己拉回到当前，让自己慢下来。现在就做一两个深呼吸也是不错的，看看我说的是什么。