During the Holiday timeMany people have the feeling that time flies. Between Family reunionsocial commitment, Shoppingwork closures and celebrationsthe days seem to go by faster than at other times of the year. Although this perception is widespread, it has nothing to do with actual changes in the world Duration of timebut with the way the human brain processes it.
Of the psychology and the NeuroscienceTime perception is closely linked to attention, memory and emotions. He Brain It does not measure time objectively like a clock, but rather interprets it based on the amount and intensity of stimuli it receives.
When a person is exposed to multiple novel activities, tasks, and events, the brain devotes more resources to processing information reduces conscious attention over time. Looking back, it feels like the days went by faster.
This sensory overload is particularly evident in December. The days are usually full of activities outside of the usual everyday life, such as social gatherings, celebrations, excursions, shopping and social events.
The break with Everyday This causes the brain to focus on the immediate action, reducing the perception of time during life, but making the period of remembering seem short.
Another key factor is the role of emotions. Various studies indicate that the intense emotionsboth positive and negative, change the perception of time. The joy, nostalgia, stress or expectation associated with it December holidays They influence the so-called “internal clocks” of the brain, which are mainly located in structures such as the cerebellum and the basal ganglia. When emotions are intense, The time is usually perceived as shorter.
The Old also plays an important role. As you get older, each year represents a smaller part of your entire life, which leads to the feeling that time passes faster. In AdultRepetitive and predictable phases tend to become “compressed” in memory, while new experiences are remembered more clearly, making the year seem shorter in retrospect.
Furthermore, the social and cultural context The course of the holiday season influences this perception. The pressure to comply Work commitments before the end of the year and the expectation of the completion of the cycles generate a Sense of urgency. This combination of stress, expectations and constant activity accelerates the subjective perception of time.
Finally, the feeling that the days go by faster in December responds not to a physical phenomenon, but to a psychological and neurological process. The accumulation of stimuli, intense emotions, the breaking of routines and social factors They ensure that the brain processes time differently. Understanding this phenomenon will help you experience the season more consciously, enjoy every moment and reduce the feeling that we are running out of time.
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