Still being somewhat reflective from by birthday, I sense how fast we are suddenly halfway through the summer. I wonder why time, an odd force that governs our lives, seems to speed up as we grow older. The leisurely long days of childhood and carefree moments of young adulthood transform into just memories.

There are reasons why this happens and ways to slow the ticking clock. The feeling that time accelerates with age is influenced by several factors, such as the predictability of routines and the way we store memories.

As we age, our lives become more structured, and routines take center stage. While they provide stability, they can also make time seem to fly by because we do fewer new and exciting things.

Our memory does play tricks on us, making significant events from the past feel recent. This compresses recent memories, contributing to the illusion that time is racing.

Neuroscientific research also hints at the brain’s involvement in shaping our perception of time. The brain houses an internal clock responsible for regulating our daily rhythms. With age, this clock might lose some precision, creating a gap between our internal sense of time and reality.

In addition, neurological changes with age can influence how we form and retain memories. These changes impact how we experience the passage of time.

Although we cannot stop the relentless flow of time, we can embrace practices that enrich our experience of it.

First, introducing novelty into your life stretches our perception of time. Engage in new hobbies, explore unfamiliar places, and indulge in diverse experiences that create lasting memories. While routines offer comfort, breaking free from them occasionally adds spice to life. Consider taking an alternative route or trying new foods. Keeping both mind and body active is vital. Doing tasks with mental challenges and pursuing new knowledge through activities can also offer fulfillment and a feeling of time well-spent.

Second and perhaps most important, living in the present moment and practicing mindfulness helps us cherish time’s passing. Here’s how to do it:

• Be Here and Now: Focus on what’s happening right now, not what already passed or what might come later. Feel the warmth of the sun, enjoy your food’s taste, or notice the beauty around you.
• Take Deep Breaths: When you feel stressed, take deep breaths to calm yourself. Breathe in and out slowly, paying attention to each breath.
• Ignore Distractions: Turn off your phone and other distractions sometimes. Spend quiet moments alone to think or meditate.
• Use Your Senses: Pay attention to your senses – what you see, hear, smell, taste, and touch. Take mindful walks and notice everything around you.
• Don’t Judge Yourself: When you have negative thoughts or feelings, don’t judge them. Just observe and let them pass. Then, focus on the present again.
• Be Thankful: Gratitude is essential. Take time every day to think about what you’re thankful for. It could be big things or small joys.
• Be Mindful in Daily Activities: Practice mindfulness in daily things like eating, cleaning, or spending time with loved ones. Lean into moments of these activities, noticing their uniqueness.
• Practice Regularly: Practice mindfulness every day. It’s a skill that gets better with practice. You’ll find that time feels more fulfilling, and you’ll be happier.

Altough time’s passage may remain a mystery, we have the power to make every moment meaningful. By embracing novelty, living mindfully, disrupting routines, nurturing gratitude, and staying active, you’ll discover that time becomes more abundant, and life feels richer. Remember, life’s value lies not in the number of years but in our connection to the present, making every moment count.