4 min learnNew DelhiJun 30, 2026 12:00 AM IST
Have you ever ever felt just like the years are flying by quicker as you become older? Many individuals expertise a way that point appears to hurry up as they age. What as soon as felt like an extended summer season trip as a toddler now appears to move within the blink of a watch.
This notion isn’t just a figment of our creativeness however a psychological phenomenon that has woke up the curiosity of researchers for some time now.
DISCLAIMER: This text relies on data from the general public area and/or the specialists we spoke to. At all times seek the advice of your well being practitioner earlier than beginning any routine.
Why does time appear to move quicker as we age?
Understanding why time seems to speed up may help us recognize our moments extra totally and even discover methods to decelerate this subjective feeling.
Gurleen Baruah, occupational psychologist and government coach at That Tradition Factor, tells indianexpress.com, “This occurs due to a couple of key causes which are really fairly simple to narrate to. Time feels quicker as a result of annually is a smaller a part of our lives. As we age, a yr turns into a smaller share of our complete life. For a 5-year-old, a yr is 20% of their life, however for a 50-year-old, it’s solely 2%, making it appear to move quicker.”
Moreover, she states, our brains course of fewer particulars as we age. After we’re younger, our brains seize numerous particulars, making time really feel longer. As we age, fewer psychological ‘snapshots’ are taken, making time really feel prefer it’s dashing up.
Baruah continues, “After we’re younger, we’re continually encountering new issues — new faculties, new buddies, new experiences. These new experiences require our mind to concentrate, which makes time really feel slower and extra full of reminiscences. As adults, we are likely to settle into routines. Once you do the identical factor every single day, there’s nothing new to your mind to course of, and time appears to move shortly as a result of the times begin to mix.”
Listening to easy issues, like nature, can stretch time. (Supply: Freepik)
How do new vs. acquainted experiences impression our notion of time?
Baruah explains that when encountering one thing new, our brains work tougher to course of and retailer particulars, making time really feel longer. For example, a trip feels lengthy as a result of it’s full of latest experiences. Routine duties don’t interact our brains as a lot, inflicting days to mix collectively and making time really feel prefer it’s shifting quicker.
Story continues beneath this advert
“The mind is designed to pay extra consideration to new or uncommon conditions as a result of they require extra effort to course of and perceive. When one thing is new, your mind works tougher, which slows down your notion of time as a result of it’s making numerous ‘psychological notes’ and storing more memories. With routine duties, the mind takes fewer ‘psychological snapshots,’ creating fewer reminiscences, which makes time really feel prefer it’s shifting shortly,” she says.
Can way of life modifications assist make time really feel extra expansive?
“Sure, way of life modifications and sure practices may help us really feel like we’re experiencing time extra slowly and richly, however it’s extra about deliberately residing within the second and connecting deeply with life,” says Baruah.
Some modifications embody:
Replicate on Life and Function: Setting significant targets and reflecting on them could make time really feel extra useful.
Apply Gratitude: Noticing and appreciating small moments could make time really feel fuller.
Story continues beneath this advert
Sluggish Down and Discover: Listening to easy issues, like nature, can stretch time.
Search Novelty: Attempting new actions breaks the routine and makes time really feel longer.
Replicate on What You Love: Partaking in enjoyable activities makes time really feel richer.
Preserve Studying: Steady studying retains your mind energetic and makes time really feel extra fulfilling.
Story continues beneath this advert
DISCLAIMER: This text relies on data from the general public area and/or the specialists we spoke to. At all times seek the advice of your well being practitioner earlier than beginning any routine.
