Speaking of Psychology Time going too fast? How to slow it down, with Ruth Ogden, PhD
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May 28, 2025 
Ruth Ogden, a Professor at Liverpool John Moores University, dives into the curious psychology of time. She shares why time seems to race when we're enjoying ourselves and drags during dull moments. The conversation highlights how aging shifts our time perception and discusses the bewildering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on our sense of time. Ruth also critiques daylight saving time's impact on well-being and offers practical strategies to enrich our experiences and reclaim our relationship with time.
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Emotion Shapes Time Perception
- Our sense of time depends heavily on our emotions and attention to the passing of time.
- Time flies when happy because we're less focused on it, and drags when sad or anxious due to increased attention.
Why Time Speeds Up With Age
- Time feels faster with age because adults have fewer rich memories and more routine lifestyles.
- Memory richness and expectation around time also influence our subjective speed of time.
Brain’s Role in Time Distortion
- The insular cortex manages emotion and homeostasis, influencing time perception, especially under threat.
- This brain region’s activation during fear or joy can distort perceived time, e.g., time slowing down in car crashes.