Time Distortion – Another Strange Side Effect of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Have you been feeling like some days take forever? Or that it seems like the Spring was only yesterday? You are not alone. Recent research in the United Kingdom validated what many of us have been feeling – that one strange effect of the pandemic has been a distorted perception of time.

How we perceive the world around us and how we think about those perceptions influences how we feel and behave. And as to time, we all know that time passes at a constant and linear rate (unless of course you are a character in a Star Trek plot). But our subjective experience of linear time is influenced by our activity level and by our emotional state. The pandemic and its restrictions on normal activities has demonstrated that fact.

The British study of 604 participants looked into their perception of the flow of time during the lockdowns associated with COVID-19. The researchers found that more than eight out of ten said they experienced some type of changes to their perception of the passage of time. It found that the description of the distortion generally fell into two groupings. One group experienced time as passing more slowly. People in this group generally were older, reported more feelings of stress or depression, had less tasks to do, and generally felt more isolated and lonelier during the lockdown. Lending a sort of credence to the saying “time flies when you’re having fun,” the second group reported that time seemed to go by faster. This group tended to be younger, have more tasks to be engaged with, and reported less distress associated with the forced restriction of normal activities. The research not only validated what many of us have been feeling about the passage of time, but also demonstrated the powerful impact of loss of routine and our varying adaptation to it.

Here are some tips to re-set your internal clock:

• Reclaim and commit to a daily and weekly routine. Our brain craves routine and predictability regardless of our age or status.
• Spend time regularly outdoors. Spending time with nature can help us to relax mentally and outdoor activity is a great stress reducer.
• Get regular sleep and rest. Not only is good sleep physically and mentally restorative, but regular sleep patterns help adjust our internal clocks.
• Stay connected to family and friends. “Social distancing” is really physical distancing. Staying involved with family and friends may be a bit more challenging today than normal, but it’s important so we can reduce feelings of isolation and loneliness.

About the Author

Norman Winegar, LCSW, CEAP, NCAC II is the Chief Clinical Officer at Espyr. For over 30 years, Norman has practiced in mental health, substance misuse, and EAP settings. He has also worked in leadership positions in both public and private sector behavioral health organizations. An author of four books, he is frequently called on for presentations and as a panelist to share his expertise and experience as a mental health professional.

Sources

Perception of Time Has Shifted During COVID-19, New Study Reports

Sara Lindberg, M.Ed.

Verywell News

https://www.verywellmind.com/why-time-is-passing-so-strangely-during-covid-5075438?utm_campaign=list_stress&utm_medium=email&utm_source=cn_nl&utm_content=21312011&utm_term=

The Passage of time during the UK Covid-19 lockdown

Ruth S. Ogden

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0235871

PLoS One. 2020;15(7): e0235871. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0235871

About Espyr

For over 30 years Espyr, has provided innovative mental health solutions to organizations operating under some of the most challenging conditions. Espyr’s portfolio of customized coaching solutions help employers reduce healthcare costs by identifying and addressing employee mental health issues before they require more expensive, long term care. For more information on how Espyr can help your organization, call Espyr at 888-570-3479 or click here.