Why Time Feels Like It Speeds Up as We Age

Research highlights how routine, memory, and emotional experiences shape our perception of time's passage.

Psychologist Marc Wittmann explains that the perception of time speeding up with age is a universal phenomenon linked to memory and routine.
Studies show that as people age, the last ten years of their lives feel increasingly shorter, with this effect stabilizing around the age of 60 to 70.
Routine activities reduce the formation of new, distinct memories, making time feel compressed in hindsight.
Novelty and emotional intensity slow perceived time, as seen in experiences like travel, meeting new people, or significant life events.
Experts suggest introducing small changes or new experiences in daily life to counteract the feeling of time flying by.