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As the new year unfolds, many are reporting a sense that time is accelerating. This isn’t simply a matter of getting older; neurological research suggests our brains process time based on novelty and information intake. Experts now say that proactively introducing new experiences into our routines could be key to reclaiming a sense of temporal control, and potentially slowing down the perceived pace of life.
Feeling like 2025 is flying by? You’re not alone. While age is a factor, experts say the sensation has more to do with neurological processes.
<p>And here’s a heads-up: <span class="news_highlight" style="background-color: #fff1aa;">If you don’t make some adjustments this year, time may seem to accelerate even faster.</span></p>
<p>The theory behind this phenomenon was first explored by a Stanford professor and psychologist, but a French philosopher touched on the idea back in the 1980s. Today, it continues to be a hot topic among brain specialists.</p>
<p>According to Adrian Bejan, as he explained to Buzz Feed, “the brain receives fewer novel images as we age than it was trained to receive when we were young.” Furthermore, it begins to filter out images it easily recognizes.</p>
<p>This, along with other factors, explains why it’s perfectly normal to think that “the older we get, the faster time passes,” the expert adds.</p>
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<h3 class="news_h3" style="font-size: 1.2em; font-weight: bold; color: #006da6;">What Can Influence Our Perception of Time</h3>
<p>For a child, a week can feel like a significant portion of their life, given their limited experiences and the constant influx of new things – new places, people, rules, and sensations. This association with numerous events makes time feel expansive.</p>
<p>However, for an 80-year-old, even with an active routine, a week represents a much smaller fraction of their life. Fewer things are likely to surprise them, diminishing the feeling of truly *living* each moment, which contributes to “a sensation that time is passing too quickly.”</p>
<p>“Looking back on time reinforces this sense of acceleration,” experts note.</p>
<p>The memories we have of past experiences also play a crucial role. It’s not necessarily that we’ve lived *too* much, but rather that we can’t change the past. In fact, reflecting on positive memories can be a good thing.</p>
<p>While associating happy moments with the feeling of time flying by is common, Lustig told the same source that being fully engaged and “living in the moment” can actually make those moments feel longer. </p>
<p>The solution, then, lies in the present. Adrian Bejan even invokes the saying that “variety is the spice of life,” suggesting we break out of our routines and savor the time we have.</p>
<h3 class="news_h3" style="font-size: 1.2em; font-weight: bold; color: #006da6;">Here Are Some Ways to Slow Down Life</h3>
<p>“Changes in routine can also affect how quickly years seem to pass,” he explains. These brain specialists recommend restructuring your day to force your brain to register new experiences. This could involve taking different routes, making different plans, or exploring new creative outlets.</p>
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