MYNORTHWEST NEWS

It’s only been 5 months of COVID? The psychology behind time perception

Aug 8, 2020, 8:02 AM | Updated: Aug 10, 2020, 9:24 am

time...

Does it seem like time has been plodding along since March -- or is it hard to remember what day it is? There's a psychological reason for that. (Getty Images)

(Getty Images)

Does it feel like the past five pandemic-filled months have been an entire year? Or is it hard to even tell what day it is anymore? There’s a psychological reason for that mistaken perception of time.

It turns out that the idiom that “time flies when you’re having fun” is not all that far off — except more accurately, the idiom might be that “time flies when you’re accomplishing goals.”

Dr. Albert Tsai, a psychiatrist at Overlake Hospital in Bellevue, said when we keep busy, get things done, and have structure in our day, our minds perceive time as passing quickly.

“Structure is really important in regulating our moods, our anxieties, and certainly the perception of time passing changes with that structure or lack of structure,” he said.

State warns COVID mental health struggles could get worse before better

But when our days don’t have much in the way of structure or goals to accomplish, we can become bored and can feel like time is standing still. People who have been furloughed or people who were prevented from doing what they planned this year by having to stay home may experience this feeling of time plodding along.

“Most people can experience that if they’re bored or don’t have structure, time seems to slow down,” Tsai said.

He pointed to a 2012 study that used the term “approach motivation” in reference to planning for a goal. In the study, people were shown images, such as flowers and desserts, for the same amount of time. Participants who were hungry at the time of the study perceived the images of the desserts passed in front of them faster than the flowers. Tsai said that this was because their minds were already kicking into gear, making a plan for how to satisfy their hunger and get something to eat.

“If you’re thinking about a goal or wanting to do something, or have motivation for doing something, you perceive the time flying by quickly,” he said.

He added that shooting for a goal in general tends to make people more engaged at work, school, or in any other environment.

Tsai recommends that people who feel their weeks have been blending together in a sea of monotony from April to August find an activity with which they can break up their day, such as a regular afternoon outing for exercise. Not only will a walk or run add variety to your day and give you a goal to accomplish — but exercise also does wonders for mental health.

“Having that breakup in the day so that you’re not just staring at the same four walls in your apartment or your room will give you more of that stimulation about goals toward exercise,” he said.

MyNorthwest News

Photo: On Monday, Mayor Bruce Harrell announced there will be 16 new preschool classrooms across Se...

Julia Dallas

Harrell’s office announces Seattle preschool slots for thousands of kids

Thousands more families will have the chance to start their children's Seattle preschool education earlier, thanks to a program launching.

9 hours ago

Digital...

Micki Gamez

How parents can help prevent children from falling victim to online sex crimes

Chances are, if your teen has a cell phone or tablet, they either know someone or they have been the victim of an online sex crime because kids as young as seven are online more than ever. My interest in this story began almost the same time last year when my daughter came home and […]

13 hours ago

Pierce County Jail...

Bill Kaczaraba

Pierce County Corrections chief at odds with the employee guild

The Corrections Bureau's Guild has issued Patti Jackson a vote of 'no confidence,' as reported by The Tacoma News Tribune.

14 hours ago

Image: A Seattle Police Department vehicle seen during the day...

Sam Campbell

Security guard stabbed, suspect barricades inside Beacon Hill apartment

SWAT officers surrounded a complex in Seattle's Beacon Hill neighborhood after police said a man stabbed a guard barricaded himself inside.

16 hours ago

seattle indecent exposure...

Frank Sumrall

Seattle man arrested for 14 counts of indecent exposure, most near schools

A 34-year-old man was arrested by Seattle police (SPD) in connection to 14 counts of indecent exposure near Lake Forest Park.

16 hours ago

Federal Way shootings...

Bill Kaczaraba

Federal Way Police say two shootings are related

Police believe two shootings in Federal Way are related.

18 hours ago

It’s only been 5 months of COVID? The psychology behind time perception