Do you sometimes tend to relive the emotions of your past and/or have anxiety for the future? If you're like most people, you probably do. Get rid of the stress caused by these unpleasant memories by learning how to live in the moment.

Why live more in the present moment? Because living in the present moment will make you a more efficient worker, will help reduce your stress level and will make you better appreciate life in general.

Here are nine suggestions to help you slow down enough to appreciate the "now".

1. As soon as you wake up, take 20 seconds, and be grateful for all the wealth that you currently have in your life. Thank the universe for your health, your life partner, your children, your parents, your friends, your job, your coworkers, your pet, your house, your car, the country where you live, etc..

2. When stepping outside, if possible, take five consecutive breaths. Breathe through your nose and let the air enter deep into your lungs, hold your breath for a few seconds and let the air out slowly through your mouth. You will be immediately overwhelmed by a sense of calm and wholeness.

3. Watch one or more images that relax you such as pictures of your children and your loved one(s) or look at landscape photos like waves hitting the walls of a cliff with the sunset in the background.

4. Reduce the noise around you to a minimum. Close your iPod, your laptop, radio and television. The only noise you should hear are those of nature such as birds, wind and sound of flowing water. The ambient noise, though familiar, can easily get away from the present moment.

5. Watch a good movie. It is very difficult to be "elsewhere" when you are absorbed by a good movie. Comedies are the best, not only will you be totally in the present, you will also enjoy a good laugh.

6. Play Sports. The high level of concentration required in sports keeps you from thinking about something else. Sport is therefore one of the best ways to live in the moment.

7. Focus your attention solely on what you are doing now. If you play golf, just play golf. Close your laptop and enjoy nature and the company of friends. If you start to think about your personal and professional problems, what you eat for dinner or where you should go on holiday next month, not only will you play poorly, but you will not be in the moment.

8. Have a Mantra phrase. If you are finding it too difficult and tend to think of only the past or the future, change your focus immediately by breathing deeply and saying "Here now here now here now. 'Or any other phrase that will help you bring your mind to the moment.

9. Stimulate your senses. Look at pictures and nice scenery, listen to music you do not know, feel a new perfume or flowers, enjoy a good ice cream and feel the water on your body by taking a warm bath or jumping in the pool.

This is an extraordinary gift. Enjoy it now slowing somewhat in your lifestyle. Learning to live in the present moment will make you a more efficient work, will help reduce your stress level and will make you appreciate life in general.