Childhood summer holidays seemed endless, yet a month or a year for adults "flies by in the blink of an eye". A survey by two psychologists, Friedman and Janssen (US), of nearly 2,000 individuals, found that 60% of older adults perceived the past 10 years to have passed significantly faster than previous periods.

Professor Adrian Bejan of Duke University (US) explains this phenomenon through neurophysics. He states that when young, the brain receives and processes large amounts of new information. Each experience is meticulously recorded, extending perceived time. Conversely, as people age, the neural network becomes more complex, causing signals to slow down. The brain registers fewer new images in the same unit of real time, creating the sensation that days pass quickly.

Photo: Unsplash.

Beyond processing speed, the "proportional theory" is also a cause. Neurologist Santosh Kesari (US) offers an example: For a 10-year-old child, one year accounts for 10% of their life, a significant period. However, for a 60-year-old, one year represents less than 2% of their lifespan.

"This feeling is more pronounced because adults have fewer new experiences. When life repeats habitually, the brain does not need to expend energy remembering details, shortening memories of time," Kesari said.

A study by Cambridge University (UK) on individuals aged 18 to 88 also reinforces this view. Researchers found that older brains transition to new states of activity less frequently than younger brains, leading to the perception of time slipping away.

This phenomenon can cause mental health consequences, such as anxiety, regret about the past, or a feeling of life being empty.

To remedy this, experts advise people to "trick" the brain by continuously creating new memories. Trying new hobbies, listening to different genres of music, traveling, or simply changing the daily commute will force the brain to process more information, helping time seem to slow down and life become richer.

Ngoc Ngan (According to Yourtango)