Case in point? Our childhoods. Do you remember how time seemed to go on forever? That's because just about everything was new. There's another layer to this whole new-things-make-time-go-slower onion: a big part of why doing new things makes time slow down is because we're paying better attention to it all and actively noticing new things that we wouldn't have otherwise; and when our brains are working to make memories more detailed, the moments seem to last longer.
This would help explain our slo-mo childhoods , and why time seems to flash by in the blink of an eye as adults. Think about it: would you say you usually go through your daily routine without paying much attention to it?
Would you also say that life seems to be flying by at warped speed? It's because we're paying so little attention to the details. The less your brain notices the nuances and variety, the faster it all slips by. That's easy because you don't have to go far. This is a mental activity so no need to be at the ocean. I am fortunate enough to have built a virtual sanctuary in my backyard, so that's as far as I need to go on a busy day. You can simply move into your most relaxing room, put your feet up, and read some fiction.
Or, try doodling because it uses a different part of your brain. Close your eyes and envision your favorite vacation spot, pretending for a few minutes that you're there. The best choice is to remove yourself from your work environment and do something that's totally unrelated to work.
Take a shopping break, pull some weeds or plant flowers if you enjoy it, go for a run in the park, meet a friend for a minute coffee or a longer lunch. The key is to do something that you enjoy and take in every moment of it, seeing it as your hard-earned privilege of freedom. Go ahead, take a little vacation right now and notice lower stress levels and increased productivity when you return to work. Stretch your imagination and have a bit of fun.
Monday mornings will be less of a chore when you have something to look forward to. Top Stories. Top Videos. Getty Images. A little vacation in each day holds a different intent than taking a break. If you really want to make your days off to pass more slowly, explains neuroscientist David Eagleman, a professor at Stanford University and the author of The Brain: The Story of You , the key is to seek out newness -- new settings, new activities.
It's why time seems to fly by so much faster as an adult then it did when you were young: "When you're a kid, everything is novel and you're laying down new memories about it. So when you look back at the end of a childhood summer, it seems to have taken a long time because you remember this and that, this new thing, learning that, experiencing that," Eagleman says.
The same thing holds when you consider a much smaller stretch of time -- meaning that if you really want to stretch every hour to its fullest potential, you're going to have to make some plans. A weekend getaway, for example, will seem much longer than a weekend spent at home. A weekend spent at home, if you spend it exploring new neighborhoods or trying new restaurants, will seem longer than one where you hole up in your apartment with a book. And a weekend holed up in your apartment with a book, if it's a new book, will seem longer than one where you reread an old favorite for the hundredth time.
Read More. Taking breaks is good for you -- but scheduling them is even better. Distracted by doughnuts: How your brain works against your best intentions. A caveat, though: Unfortunately, this is only true in hindsight. Come Monday, you'll remember a novelty-packed weekend as feeling like more time.
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