Christmas, New Year’s Eve, New Year again? Many people look at the calendar in disbelief at the end of the year. There is a reason why the months seem to fly by so quickly. To take a break from this time killer, take time for yourself, break through your routine, and start your journey at https://www.avalon78.com/.
One question is repeatedly asked: Why does it feel like time is passing faster and faster? It is a universal experience. Thomas Mann described this phenomenon a century ago in “The Magic Mountain.” Many people become particularly aware of this around Christmas and New Year’s Eve: wait a minute, can another year be over already? Wasn’t it just New Year, summer, or at least fall?
A study conducted at the Institute for Frontier Areas of Psychology and Mental Hygiene in Freiburg in 2005 found that: “The past ten years in particular are sensitive to our perception of time. The older we get, the faster these ten years pass.” This effect begins in our teenage years and only reaches a plateau at 60 to 70. “In our 20s, 30s, 40s, and 50s, it becomes subjectively faster and faster,” reports the scientist.
Routine as a “time killer”
But why is that? According to Wittmann, based on current research, at least one answer can be given: “Routine is a time killer.” Many studies have shown that memory impressions are relevant for perceiving time retrospectively. “And the more new things we experience in a period, the longer this period seems afterward. We all know this from a weekend with friends: Everything is new, you experience great things. Later, it feels like you’ve been away forever.”
Researchers Dinah Avni-Babad and Ilana Ritov proved the same connection in 2003 in a survey of beach vacationers: The first few days of vacation seemed stretched to the participants, as they created many memories. However, the longer the vacation progressed, the more the days were subjectively shortened – because a leisure routine had developed.
Wittmann discovered this is also the case throughout a person’s life: in the teenage years and as a young adult, people often experience memorable firsts. “But at some point, we realize: Gosh, I’ve lived in the same place for 30 years, have the same job and friends. Then time feels like it passes faster because we no longer store anything new,” says the scientist.
Emotions also play a role
The phenomenon even exists over the years: “I haven’t done any separate studies on this, but many people experience it.” For those who cultivate traditions or want peace during the holidays, the days between Christmas and New Year’s Eve can feel short. “Or perhaps the best thing is that you lose track of time,” says Wittmann. If, on the other hand, you meet new people on a skiing vacation in a previously unknown place, the days can drag on in retrospect.
According to the author (“When Time Stands Still”), emotionality also plays an important role. “All studies on the coronavirus pandemic in England, Italy, France, and ours for Germany have shown that The worse off people were, the slower time passed for them. But it can also be the other way around. For example, when I went to university in San Diego, the first year went by incredibly slowly because everything was new. But I remember it fondly.”
Stop time – or make better use of it
If you want to stop time, you can – at least a little. The key is always to change life a little. “Rituals can be good and provide security. But maybe you can talk to your neighbor for a change, someone you have never had contact with. It’s about creating a novelty effect in adult life too, so time passes more slowly, and you feel better about it,” advises Wittmann.
The expert also has a tip for those moments in a queue or traffic jam where minutes can drag on like chewing gum: “On average, you stand in a checkout queue for four minutes, which is nothing. I usually complain that time passes too quickly, but here I have moments just for me! It’s called cognitive restructuring; you practice using these minutes to think about how you’ve been today, what you still have to do.” It’s an almost meditative way of finding yourself – and you can find relaxation even in an otherwise stressful situation.