Neil Degrasse Tyson Shares How to Slow Down Time as Life Speeds Up

There is a moment that seems to arrive quietly for most people. It might come when you realise a year has passed in what feels like a few months, or when a holiday that once stretched endlessly now seems to vanish in an instant. The sensation is subtle at first, then unmistakable. Time is not behaving the way it used to.

For many, this feeling becomes more pronounced with age. Childhood summers feel expansive and almost timeless, while adulthood often feels compressed into routines and responsibilities that blur together. It is a shared human experience that crosses cultures, professions, and lifestyles. And yet, the question remains deeply personal. Why does time seem to speed up as we grow older, and is there anything we can do about it?

Astrophysicist and science communicator recently offered an explanation that has resonated widely. Known for translating complex scientific ideas into accessible insights, Tyson explored this phenomenon in a way that connects neuroscience, psychology, and everyday life. His perspective does not just explain the experience. It offers a sense of agency within it.

The Childhood Illusion of Endless Time

One of the most striking contrasts in human experience is the difference between how time feels in childhood and adulthood. As children, days can feel long and richly detailed. Waiting for a birthday or a holiday can feel like an eternity. There is a sense that time stretches outward, creating space for anticipation and imagination.

This is not merely nostalgia. Researchers and psychologists consistently point to the density of new experiences during childhood as a key factor. Every day introduces unfamiliar environments, people, and concepts. The brain is actively encoding these experiences, forming memories at a rapid pace. This process gives the impression that time is expanding.

Psychologist Steve Taylor, writing for Psychology Today, explains that children process a vast amount of perceptual information because nearly everything is new. Their perception of the world is vivid and unfiltered. As a result, their experiences feel fuller and longer.

This aligns closely with Tyson’s explanation. When the brain records more information, it creates more memory markers. These markers act as reference points that make a period of time feel substantial when we look back on it.

When Routine Begins to Compress Time

As people grow older, the nature of daily life often changes. Familiarity replaces novelty. Work schedules, repeated environments, and habitual behaviors begin to dominate. While routines can provide stability and efficiency, they also reduce the number of new experiences the brain needs to process.

According to Tyson, this shift has a direct impact on how time is perceived. The brain becomes more efficient by filtering out details it has already encountered. It moves into what he describes as a kind of autopilot mode. This means fewer new memories are formed during routine periods.

The result is a compression of time perception. Days, weeks, and even years can begin to feel indistinguishable from one another. Without distinct memories to anchor them, these periods seem shorter in retrospect.

Experimental psychologist Ruth Ogden supports this idea through her research. She has found that memory plays a crucial role in how we estimate the passage of time. When fewer memories are created, the brain interprets that period as having passed more quickly.

This helps explain why adulthood can sometimes feel like a blur. It is not that time itself is accelerating. It is that the brain is recording less information, creating the illusion of speed.

The Science of Perception and Information Overload

The perception of time is deeply tied to how much information the brain processes. Studies have shown that environments rich in stimuli can make time feel slower, while repetitive or low-stimulation environments can make it feel faster.

A vivid example comes from a psychology conference described by researchers studying time perception. Participants reported that the event felt much longer than its actual duration. This was not because the clock moved differently, but because the brain was processing a high volume of new information, from lectures to social interactions and unfamiliar surroundings.

In contrast, when individuals engage in familiar routines, the brain processes less information. This reduction creates a sense of acceleration. Weeks can pass with little distinction, blending into one another.

Neuroscientist David Eagleman adds another layer to this understanding. He explains that the brain uses memory density to estimate duration. More memories create the impression of a longer time span. Fewer memories lead to the opposite effect.

There is also a physiological component. Some researchers suggest that as the brain ages, the speed at which it processes visual and sensory information may change. This could contribute to the feeling that time is moving faster, similar to watching a sequence of images at a quicker rate.

The Emotional Dimension of Time

Time perception is not only shaped by memory and routine. Emotion also plays a significant role. Studies have shown that highly emotional or intense experiences can alter how time is perceived.

In experiments conducted by Ruth Ogden, participants exposed to emotionally charged stimuli, such as discomfort or provocative images, reported that time seemed to slow down. This is often linked to heightened awareness and increased physiological arousal.

Moments of danger or stress can create a similar effect. People often describe accidents or near-miss situations as unfolding in slow motion. While the actual passage of time remains constant, the brain processes information more intensely, creating the illusion of expanded time.

On the other hand, enjoyable experiences can have the opposite effect. Time often feels like it is passing quickly when people are engaged and distracted. Social gatherings, entertainment, and creative activities can make hours feel like minutes.

This duality highlights an important point. Time perception is not fixed. It shifts depending on attention, emotion, and context.

Cultural Perspectives on Time

The way time is experienced can also vary across cultures. Some societies place a strong emphasis on punctuality and efficiency, treating time as a limited resource that must be managed carefully. Others adopt a more flexible approach, allowing for longer social interactions and less rigid scheduling.

Psychologist Gamze Arman notes that these cultural differences can influence how people perceive the passage of time. In cultures where time is tightly structured, individuals may feel a constant pressure that makes time seem scarce and fast-moving. In more relaxed cultures, the same periods may feel more expansive.

This suggests that time perception is not only a biological or psychological phenomenon. It is also shaped by social norms and expectations.

The Mathematical Perspective of Aging and Time

There is another explanation that adds a mathematical dimension to the discussion. Mathematician Kit Yates proposes that time perception may be linked to the proportion of life already lived.

For a young child, a single year represents a large percentage of their total life experience. This makes that year feel significant and lengthy. As people age, each additional year becomes a smaller fraction of their overall life. This proportional shift can make time feel as though it is speeding up.

This idea aligns with a logarithmic perception of time, where the rate of perceived acceleration increases over the lifespan. While this does not fully explain the phenomenon, it complements the role of memory and experience.

Can We Slow Time Down Again?

Despite the seemingly inevitable nature of this experience, there is encouraging news. Both Tyson and other researchers agree that it is possible to influence how time is perceived.

The most consistent recommendation is to introduce novelty into daily life. New experiences require the brain to process unfamiliar information, leading to the creation of more memories. This can make time feel more expansive.

Examples of introducing novelty include traveling to new places, learning new skills, or even making small changes to daily routines. These actions stimulate the brain and disrupt the patterns that lead to time compression.

Mindfulness is another approach that has gained attention. By focusing on the present moment and paying close attention to sensory experiences, individuals can increase the amount of information their brain processes. This can create a sense of extended time.

Sleep and rest also play a role. A well-rested brain is more alert and capable of processing information efficiently. Fatigue, on the other hand, can reduce awareness and contribute to the feeling that time is slipping away.

The Role of Awareness in Shaping Time

At its core, the perception of time is closely linked to awareness. When people move through life on autopilot, their experiences become less distinct. Days merge into one another, and time appears to accelerate.

By contrast, when individuals engage actively with their surroundings, paying attention to details and seeking new experiences, time can feel richer and more substantial.

Philosophers have also explored this idea. Some suggest that adopting a more balanced view of past, present, and future can reduce the anxiety associated with time passing too quickly. By focusing less on what has been lost or what is yet to come, people can create a more grounded sense of the present.

A Modern Life Challenge

In many ways, the acceleration of time is a reflection of modern life. Technology, work demands, and constant connectivity can create routines that limit novelty. While these structures offer convenience, they can also contribute to the feeling that life is passing by too quickly.

Breaking out of these patterns does not necessarily require drastic changes. Small adjustments, such as exploring new environments, engaging in creative activities, or simply being more attentive, can have a meaningful impact.

The challenge lies in balancing efficiency with experience. While routines help manage daily responsibilities, they should not entirely replace opportunities for growth and discovery.

Reclaiming the Experience of Time

The idea that time accelerates with age can feel unsettling. It suggests a loss of control over one of the most fundamental aspects of life. However, the insights shared by astrophysicist and science communicator and supported by researchers across disciplines offer a more hopeful perspective.

Time itself is not speeding up. What is changing is how the brain processes and remembers experiences. This means that, to some extent, the experience of time is within our influence.

By seeking out new experiences, staying mentally engaged, and cultivating awareness, it is possible to expand the way time is felt. These changes do not alter the clock, but they can transform how life unfolds within it.

In the end, the question is not only about slowing time down. It is about making time feel fuller, richer, and more meaningful. That may be the closest thing to extending time that any of us can achieve.