Tips & Tools May 8, 2026
Changing How We Perceive Time
Curated by Meg Birmingham
In this podcast interview, psychologist Ruth Ogden explains how emotions, memory, culture, routine, and technology shape human perceptions of time. If we take some tips and tricks from it, they would include:
- Create more new experiences in your routine.
Trying new activities, visiting new places, learning skills, or changing your normal habits can help life feel fuller and slower because your brain creates richer memories from novelty.
- Reduce constant multitasking and phone use during downtime.
Constant scrolling and digital stimulation can make hours disappear unnoticed, so setting intentional breaks from technology can help you feel more present and aware of your time.
- Build structure and meaningful goals into your days.
Having routines, objectives, and activities that feel purposeful can improve wellbeing and prevent time from feeling painfully slow during stressful, isolated, or repetitive periods.
- Pay attention to how activities make you feel, not just how they fill time.
Activities that genuinely make you happy or fulfilled tend to improve your overall experience of time, while habits that feel empty or draining can increase stress and time pressure.