Correct question: “Time flies at a tremendous speed,” we say all the time. Especially in summer. But is it just an impression or a reality? Enlightenment with a neuropsychologist.
You have the impression that New Year’s Eve returns to the previous day, when we are already in August. A feeling that many share, not really understanding why time goes by so quickly. The phenomenon is explained to us by neuropsychologist Marie Sebbag.
In the video: 12 habits to adopt to be positive every day
Common question
No, summer hasn’t gone by too fast, even if it feels like it. Time is an immutable given, it is our relationship with it that develops according to the context in which we find ourselves. “This feeling that time is speeding up with the years is related to the fact that we live automatically. When we are in a routine, in a familiar context, the brain activates the networks it knows, which requires less energy,” explains neuropsychologist Marie Sebbag. Certain areas of the brain are involved in our perception of time, but we seek less attention when the action is familiar. This is why people with a repetitive daily life feel like time is passing by without really seeing the days pass by.
When we break the daily routine, on the contrary, we get the impression that time is getting longer. “This is due to the fact that the brain registers new data, and it takes longer to process and store information,” says the specialist. Which explains why children always have the impression that time is stretching. “When you’re young, any problem is unknown and it requires new neural circuits. The more we grow, the less new there is in our lives, and that is what gives the impression that time is speeding up,” the neuropsychologist details.
The mindset involved
The perception of temporal space is also correlated with the state of mind as well as with the actions that are performed. It all depends on the emotional charge that a person puts into a given task. “When you’re comfortable, you use less energy. For us, it’s more automatic and the corresponding areas of the brain work more fluidly,” says Marie Sebbag. This is why when we do an activity that we enjoy, the moment seems to pass faster.
“Perception of time involves short and long-term memory. We compare the moment we live with another more distant one. And this confrontation forces us to realize what we are doing,” Marie Sebbag informs. Which gives the impression of a longer time. Meanwhile, when we do not pay attention to the space of time, it seems to us that it passes faster.
That said, according to the expert, “it is important and healthy to perceive time passing quickly, because it means that we do things adapted to our activities and within our reach.” We just need to be able to find a balance between our comfort zone and innovation.
Source: Le Figaro
