Already half of 2024 has passed. Do you feel like you set your New Year’s resolutions just yesterday, and now it’s already mid-year? Are you surprised at how fast time seems to fly? Let’s explore why time feels like it speeds up as you get older.
Memory Intensity and Decreased Dopamine Secretion
One reason time feels faster as you age is related to the intensity of memories. Memory intensity is closely linked to dopamine, a pleasure hormone secreted by our brains. Dopamine strongly stimulates neural circuits, creating vivid memories. However, as we age, dopamine secretion decreases, weakening neural stimulation and resulting in fewer vivid memories. This leads to a blurrier recollection of past events, making time feel like it has passed more quickly.
Think about your summer vacations as a child. Each day was long and filled with new experiences. In contrast, as an adult, daily routines repeat, and fewer events stand out in memory. This is why time seems to pass more quickly.
Simplification of Individual Memories
Another reason is that individual memories become simplified into larger, more generalized memories as you age. While each day was a new experience in childhood, adulthood tends to simplify these experiences into larger categories like ‘work’ or ‘home.’ The more individual memories are lumped together, the stronger the feeling of time passing without significant events.
For example, if your week consists of working at the office and then relaxing at home, the week may seem to fly by. This is the flow of time influenced by the simplification of individual memories.
Physical Aging and Slower Image Perception
Physical aging also affects the sensation that time is passing quickly. We see objects through our eyes, and the brain processes these visual images. However, as we age, the brain’s neural networks slow down, making it harder to perceive images quickly. This reduces the number of images imprinted in our memory, making it feel like time is passing faster without doing much.
Repetitive Daily Life and Lack of New Experiences
Lastly, repetitive daily life makes time feel like it’s passing faster. As we age, new experiences decrease, and familiar routines increase. The brain remembers exciting or shocking events for longer, but does not react as much to daily repetition. As impressive events decrease, time naturally seems to pass more quickly.
For example, if you commute to work and return home at the same times every day, without special memories, it can feel like time is speeding by.
In Conclusion
When you feel like time is passing too quickly, it’s important to try changing your routine. Start a new hobby, plan a trip, or explore new places with friends. These new experiences can boost dopamine secretion and create vivid memories, helping you feel that time is more abundant.
Cherish the present moment and enrich your life with new experiences. Just as they say, age is just a number, the flow of time can change based on your mindset and actions. From today, make small changes to make your time more meaningful.
Wishing you a special day today!