The science of time: Why our days seem to shrink with age
The older we get, the more it seems time flies by. However, this isn't just a subjective feeling—our minds are responsible, as they organize memories differently over time.
When we were children, time appeared abundant. Vacations passed leisurely, and each day brought numerous adventures. As adults, we barely recover from one vacation before holidays, frequently leaving little time for preparation. From a yearly perspective, we also feel that our adult years have flashed by, while our childhood seemed significantly longer, almost stretched out in time. Is this an illusion, or is it reality? Scientists have explored this topic.
The study, published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, found that people's perceptions of time change with age. A survey of people aged 17 to 81 found that as we age, we feel like time flows faster.
According to scientists, our daily monotony is to blame. If we fall into a routine and each day mirrors the last, days blend into weeks, weeks into months, and so on. In contrast, each day was filled with surprises during childhood, and each day brought something new.
The brain has more connections with age, but they are less efficient
Prof. Adrian Bejan from Duke University published a slightly different theory in the European Review. According to him, biological processes in our brains are responsible. Children's brains form neural connections, allowing them to experience each stimulus intensely and process it immediately. As a result, every moment is rich in details and thus seems to last longer.
The situation changes as we age because although we have more connections in the brain, their efficiency decreases. An older brain requires more time to comprehend its surroundings, registering fewer details. Therefore, days seem to merge—routine and predictability prevail, leading to "shortened days." To counteract this, experts suggest introducing changes in daily life—both planned and spontaneous.
