Ever feel like the years fly by faster the older you get? You’re not alone—and scientists are still debating why it happens.
One of the oldest theories dates back to 1877 and suggests it’s simply a matter of perspective: when you’re 10 years old, one year is a huge chunk of your life, but when you’re 50, it’s a much smaller fraction.
Another popular idea is that routine makes time feel compressed because fewer memorable events stand out. However, a recent study found little evidence to support that explanation. Instead, researchers discovered that a reduced ability to form and encode new memories may be more closely linked to the feeling that time is speeding up.
A third theory focuses on how our brains process information. Some scientists believe that as we age and visual processing slows down, our perception of time may change as well.
