Summary:
- As we get older, time seems to pass more quickly, especially in the last decade of our lives. This phenomenon is known as the "time compression effect."
- The reason for this is that our perception of time is relative to our age. When we're young, each year represents a larger proportion of our total life experience, making it feel longer. As we age, each year becomes a smaller fraction of our life, making time appear to speed up.
- The brain's ability to process and encode new information also declines with age, contributing to the sense that time is passing more rapidly. Older adults tend to have fewer novel experiences, which can make time feel compressed.