Why time really seems to fly as we grow older
The older we get, the more time seems to fly by. It turns out this feeling is not just subjective. The way our mind organizes memories changes over time, influencing our perception of time.
As children, we seemed to have an abundance of time. Vacations passed lazily, and each day was filled with adventures. As adults, we find ourselves barely recovering from vacations before the holidays arrive, often without enough time to prepare. We perceive that our adult years have sped by, whereas our childhood seemed to stretch out longer. Is this just an illusion, or is it reality? Scientists have delved into this topic.
The study was published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. According to the findings, our perception of time changes with age. A survey of individuals aged 17 to 81 revealed that time seems to flow faster with age.
Scientists attribute this to the monotony of daily life. When we fall into routine, with each day mimicking the last, days become weeks, and weeks become months. In contrast, childhood days were filled with surprises and novelty.
The brain has more connections with age, but they are less efficient
Prof. Adrian Bejan of Duke University, who published his research in the European Review, offers a different perspective. He suggests that biological processes in our brains contribute to this phenomenon. Children’s brains form new neural connections rapidly, allowing them to process stimuli intensely and immediately. This heightened perception makes each moment feel detailed and prolonged.
As we age, the number of connections in our brains increases, but their efficiency declines. An older brain requires more time to process its surroundings and registers fewer details. Consequently, days start to blur together, dominated by routine and predictability, leading to a sense of "shortened days." To counteract this, experts recommend introducing changes into daily life—both planned and spontaneous.
