Is Time Accelerating? Interdisciplinary Insights from Perception, Stress, Energy, and Physics

Abstract:

In contemporary society, many individuals experience a subjective sensation that “time is accelerating.” Based on 164 valid questionnaires covering individuals aged 15–55, this study examines key factors influencing personal time perception from an interdisciplinary perspective encompassing psychology, philosophy, physics, and energy metabolism. Findings indicate that, first, media usage duration shows a significant positive correlation with perceived time acceleration. Immersive short-video and social media environments reshape individuals’ temporal perception structures. Second, psychological stress exhibits a significant positive correlation with time anxiety; individuals under high stress are more likely to feel “there aren’t enough hours in the day.” Finally, high-focus activities such as mindfulness, meditation, artistic creation, and exercise mitigate perceived time acceleration to some extent, offering practical intervention pathways. This study reveals shared temporal distress among adolescents and adults, underscoring the importance of actively regulating life rhythms. Despite limitations in sample size and cross-sectional design, its findings offer insights for education, mental health, and daily living, while laying groundwork for future cross-cultural research integrating physiological data.

Keywords:

Energy, Interdisciplinary. Perception, Physics, Psychological Stress, Time

Citation: Yixuan Yu (2025). Is Time Accelerating? Interdisciplinary Insights from Perception, Stress, Energy, and Physics. Horizon J. Hum. Soc. Sci. Res. 7 (2), 133–145. https://doi.org/10.37534/bp.jhssr.2025.v7.n2.id1329.p133