Why does time speed up as you age and how can you stop it?

The secret to our perception of time that you haven’t even considered

Remember when you were a kid and summer vacations seemed endless and birthdays seemed like an eternity away? Now the year goes by without a second thought. Science explains why time starts to pass faster as we age and how we can slow it down.

Why does the perception of time accelerate with age?

Our perception of time is directly related to experience and the number of new experiences we have. University of Michigan psychology professor Cindy Lustig notes: “The perception of time is strongly influenced by how new or familiar events seem to us.”

To a child, a week is a significant part of life, filled with new discoveries. For a 70-year-old man, the same week is just a small fragment of his long life.

The brain needs a change!

Adrian Bejan, professor of mechanical engineering at Duke University and author of Time and Beauty, argues that our brains record time through change and the novelty of events.

In childhood, each event is unique and vividly remembered: the first walk, a trip to the zoo, a new acquaintance – all this “stretches” our perception of time. That’s why after a trip or a vivid event, adults also feel that time has slowed down.

How does vision affect the perception of time?

Our brains as children are constantly absorbing and processing new images, creating a sense of long and intense time. In adulthood, images are repeated and the brain doesn’t capture them with the same intensity. This is why adults feel the days fly by faster.

Interesting fact: studies show that people who are active and constantly exposed to new visual experiences subjectively experience a 20-30% slowing of time.

How to slow down the running of time?

The key to slowing down time is novelty and variety:

• Travel new routes and visit undiscovered places.
• Learn new hobbies and skills.
• Meet interesting people and have new emotions.
• Change your daily habits and routines.

Helpful tip: Try writing down daily events and new experiences in a journal. Not only will this slow down your perception of time, but it will also improve your memory and awareness.

Bottom line: add novelty to everyday life!

Our perception of time can be adjusted. The more varied and colorful your life is, the longer and richer it will seem. Start today: add something new to your life to reacquaint yourself with its flavor and fullness!

Remember, life is not made up of days lived, but of moments remembered!