Fast Forward Your “Dragged On” Day With These 9 Tips

If you’ve ever found yourself glancing at the clock every few minutes, wondering why the time isn’t moving on, then you’re not alone. I’ve been through this. There have been days when I’ve felt like time dragged on; never to end, and then, there have been days when time flew; as if it never was.

This is an experience we’ve all been through — those dragged-on days that feel like an eternity. But, the questions remain; why does this happen? How do our minds perceive time?

Psychologically, time perception is complicated, and can be based on factors such as your environment, attention, memory, and even emotions. When we’re thoroughly engaged in activities we enjoy, time tends to fly. On the contrary, when we’re doing something monotonous or, dare I say, instinctively, time can stretch into hours (that can feel like days!). Boredom can, too, slow down your perception of time.

This subjective nature of time makes it a truly fascinating concept to grasp and allow into our everyday lives. The best part is that you can learn to make your day go faster! How? Well, keep reading to find out!

How to Make Your Day Go Faster?

Time perception is subjective and is based on the interpretation of your environment, psychological aspects, and how you play your role. It’s the one aspect of time that you can control. Here are some ways to make your day go faster when it seems to drag on;

1. Be Productive With Your Breaks

Did you know that taking productive breaks can help you make time go faster? Yes! Short but productive breaks during the day (that never seems to end) and engaging in activities such as organizing your desk, going for a coffee run, or doing some mindfulness exercises can refresh your mind and add a sense of accomplishment to your day.

2. Change Your Routine

Monotony is never good, even if boredom can be good for you, sometimes. If you’re engaging in monotonous activities, then it’s a surefire way to breed slow passage of time. You can shake things up by changing your routine. Something as simple as rearranging your workspace or trying a new café for lunch can add novelty to your day, making it feel less like it’s dragging on.

3. Have Micro Goals

You can also try to break down your day into smaller tasks so that everything doesn’t seem daunting. Completing these small tasks can make you feel like you’ve made progress, making it appear that time is moving fast. While you’re at it, don’t forget to celebrate as you finish your tasks. That’s the key to making your day more enjoyable and feel less sluggish.

4. Listen to Music

You can also create a playlist of your favorite songs or listen to a podcast when you feel that the day is dragging on and on. Music is strong enough to influence your mood, and listening to an upbeat music playlist can give you a sense of action. Podcasts, especially on topics that you enjoy, can be great companions when you’re doing something you don’t particularly enjoy.

Also Read: 10 Best Anger Management Podcasts You Must Follow

5. Find a Challenge

Find or create a challenge, mental, of course, to keep your mind active and involved. This could be solving puzzles, answering riddles, or setting targets for yourself. This mental stimulation can divert your attention from the day that seems never-ending.

6. Socialize

The best way to make your day go faster is to seek the company of others, either in person or through video/audio calls. Engaging in conversations with your friends can break the monotony of your day and create a more enthusiastic atmosphere. Share a laugh over coffee, discuss random topics, or just chill out.

7. Try Something New

You can use your free time during the day to try something new or learn a new skill. Learning always engages your mind and gives you a sense of fulfillment. So, why don’t you sign up for that online course you’ve been wanting to try? You can also watch some educational videos or try a new hobby while you’re at it. This excitement of something new can make time fly rather than feel like it’s going on and on.

8. Plan an Exciting Day

Have something to look forward to at the end of the day. This simple deviation from your daily routine can impact your perception of time. Whether it be meeting a friend for drinks, watching a foreign language movie, or indulging in your favorite dessert (just this once) can make time fly faster.

9. Engage in Your SNS

The most interesting thing you can do to make your day go faster is to engage in your SNS, aka your sympathetic nervous system — the one responsible for your “flight-fight-freeze” response. In a recent study, it was found that the higher the SNS activity, the faster the passage of time was. This does not mean that you have to put your body through stress deliberately. You can do this with exercise, time-based games, etc.

Wrapping Up…

Time is a strange concept; some days feel like there isn’t enough time to do whatever you set out to do, and other days, it feels like all you have is time and not enough work to pass the slow passage of time. It can truly test one’s patience!

However, time perception is one thing we can control. With these ways, I hope you can turn your sluggish day into a more enjoyable one. Time is flexible; how you spend it can shape your experience, so enjoy it with things that make you feel good and stimulated.

Next time, you get the urge to check the time, try to engage in one of the above-mentioned activities and see how your day goes faster!

If you liked reading this article and knowing about how time perception works, and how to make your day go faster, then let me know your thoughts in the comments box below. We love hearing from you!

Until then, take care!