Time seems to zoom by in the blink of an eye, as some people say, especially when reminiscing about last year’s holidays and the cherished memories they hold. It’s understandable why time appears to move slowly in childhood but accelerates as we grow older. Our perception of time shifts with age, causing certain periods to pass by swiftly, leaving us longing for more moments to savor and cherish.
Cindy Lustig, a psychology professor, said, “It seems that how we perceive days, weeks, years, and our perspective influences other kinds of time: Are we looking backward or forward?”
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Time Plays A Role In This Feeling Of Acceleration
It may seem like an 80-year-old’s day goes by slower than an 8-year-old’s who has school to attend. The older person, however, will feel that the month or year went by faster when they reflect. Thus, our brains lump days or weeks together when they are similar. The year will seem to have flown by for an 80-year-old who does the same thing every day.
Routine Changes Can Also Affect How Fast Time Passes
Adrian Bejan, a professor of mechanical engineering,” says the brain is designed to record change.” It is common for children to perceive that time is plentiful and there are more activities they can fit into their days. Time may seem slower when looking back.
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How Our Brain Absorbs Images Influences Time Perception
Physical factors influence our perception of time; our perception of time gets faster as we age. Time can also be affected by the way we process what we see. We receive a lot of images as infants. In early childhood, we absorb a lot of new photos. Bejan says the brain receives fewer images as an adult. As a result, time seems to pass more quickly.