In this week’s Well-Being Tip, we explore how to take control of our perception to make our days more fulfilling.
As the month of June approaches its end, you may feel time passing by quicker than usual. Part of the reason time always seems to move so fast is our perception.
You might notice that time seems to speed up as we get older, but can still slow down when we experience something new. Time passes slower for children because for them, the world is a fascinating place, full of new experiences and fresh sensations. But as we get older, we have fewer new experiences and the world around us becomes more and more familiar. The good thing is, we always have full control of our perception––and like anything else, it requires practice to expand it.
In today’s Tuesday Tip, we’re going to go over a few ways you can take control of your perception so you can feel like your days are fulfilling, and not just passing you by.
Switch up your routine.
- Since we know that familiarity makes time pass faster, we can slow down time by exposing ourselves to as many new experiences as possible.
- Switching up your routine could be as simple or complex as you want to make it. It could mean waking up an hour earlier to fit in a short walk or yoga session before beginning your day, sitting in a different chair or room while reading, or dedicating time at night to exploring a new hobby.
- By traveling to new places, giving ourselves new challenges, meeting new people, exposing our minds to new information, hobbies and skills, and so on, we increase the amount of information our minds process and stretch out our experience of time passing.
Practice mindfulness.
- Secondly, and perhaps most effectively, we can notice more of what’s happening at any moment by being mindful. Mindfulness meditation, which is geared to helping people more fully attend to aspects of the present moment, has been shown to slow down perceived time, increase our focus, and improve resilience.
- An easy place to start is with our Healthy Minds Program app. Powered by some of the world’s leading scientists and meditation teachers, our meditations provide insights on the science of training the mind to cultivate wellbeing.
- Note that practicing mindfulness can be any moment of paying attention––no matter how short. If you’re stepping outside to grab the mail, take notice of the objects around you and the physical sensations you are experiencing, even if it’s only for a few seconds.
Start journaling to practice reflection
- Journaling allows you to slow down and reflect––stopping you from just going through the motions of life.
- Journaling can be anything you want it to be: a stream-of-consciousness, writing down the names of people who inspire you, or a daily gratitude list.
- In addition to making you more mindful, there’s also scientific evidence that journaling has other benefits. It boosts memory and communication skills, and studies have also found that consistently writing in a journal leads to a stronger immune system, better sleep and more self-confidence.
- Not sure how to get started? Check out these journaling prompts for self-reflection and self-discovery.
Remember––we’re not doomed to march to time’s relentless beat. We have the ability to change our perspective at any moment. Eating the right foods and exercising for your physical health are sensible steps, but as Dr. Richard Davidson has said, mental exercise should be as much a part of our daily lives as physical exercise and personal hygiene. It’s possible for us to expand our experience of time by training our brains to be more mindful. Try incorporating a few of these tips and see if next month seems to go by a little slower.
Get more practices and tips by downloading the Healthy Minds Program App, freely available thanks to the generosity of our donors wherever you get your apps.
