Why does time pass so quickly… or so slowly

 Why does time pass so quickly… or so slowly?

Time is a stable, immutable fact. Yet, we sometimes have the impression that it doesn't always pass at the same pace, depending on our activities or our state of mind.

Picture this: You're on a plane and have a 10-hour flight to get to your destination. For the first few hours, you can sleep, read, or watch a movie. 

Deep down, you're feeling a great deal of excitement about your vacation! Time seems to fly by. But with only two or three hours left until landing, you stare out the window, waiting for the flight to end. Chances are, you'll find these last few hours much longer than the first, right?

Is time relative, as Einstein told us? Reflections on the question.

Scientific explanation

The fact that time doesn't always seem to flow at the same speed is a phenomenon that can be partly explained by science. While physical time remains the same, our perception of it tends to be elastic. But why?

The answer lies within our brain, that most complex of organs. In addition to being physical, time is a chemical reality that takes shape in our brain and is influenced by several stimuli, including emotions.

It has been studied that pleasure triggers a release of dopamine in us, a neurotransmitter that accelerates the passage of time. 

The more pleasure we experience, the faster time seems to pass. Think back to that night out with friends where you were dancing and laughing: it seemed to go by in a flash, didn't it?

While pleasure speeds up time, fear lengthens it. People who experience traumatic events, such as a car accident, often report feeling as if time had passed in slow motion, a direct result of the fear they experienced

Choosing how to use our time

Have you ever heard the famous phrase "we all have the same number of hours in a day"? Frequently used by self-help gurus, this phrase remains true nonetheless. Time is the same for everyone; yet, we have a certain power over how we use it.

When we're caught up in the daily grind of hustling, bustling, and busy, we feel like we're chasing time, never having enough. While people who suffer from loneliness or depression often report feeling like time is slipping by in dribs and drabs.

Whether you feel like you're running out of time or, on the contrary, you want it to pass more quickly, there are certain actions you can take to influence your perception of it.

What to do when things go too fast?

Are the days flying by at breakneck speed, and do you feel like time is slipping through your fingers? The first thing you can do to try to slow it down is to stop, even if it's just for a few minutes. Try to find one or more moments each day to take a break and simply "be." That alone should make a huge difference.

If you like, practice a mindfulness activity, such as meditation or mindful walking. Focus on the present moment and on each minute, each second that passes. Time is already slowing down, isn't it?

What to do when things go too fast?

Are the days flying by at breakneck speed, and do you feel like time is slipping through your fingers? The first thing you can do to try to slow it down is to stop, even if it's just for a few minutes. Try to find one or more moments each day to take a break and simply "be." That alone should make a huge difference.

If you like, practice a mindfulness activity, such as meditation or mindful walking. Focus on the present moment and on each minute, each second that passes. Time is already slowing down, isn't it?

What to do when things go too slowly?

The feeling of going around in circles: we all experienced it in one way or another during the COVID-19 pandemic, when we were confined and many of us lost our jobs. Time seemed to drag on…

It is certain that when we pay particular attention to the passage of time, for example when we are bored and stare at our watch, the latter seems to fly by much more slowly, which can lead to a certain state of monotony, even sadness.

If this is you, I want to ask you this question: "Do you really want to use your time to worry or to brood?"

Why not see this time at your disposal for what it really is: after all, it's not called "free time" for nothing. You are free to do whatever you want! Why not use it to let your imagination run wild by visualizing positive things, like your next project or upcoming vacation, or to practice one of your favorite hobbies? Remember that fun makes time pass faster, so stimulate it!

Remember that you are the master of your life, and that includes how you choose to experience the passing hours.