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Objectively time is constant. A minute is a minute. But when we have a lot to do, it usually feels like we have less time. Now a study finds an interesting wrinkle in time: when we busy ourselves with selfless tasks, time seems to expand. The work will be published the journal Psychological Science.
Researchers interrupted more than 200 students in class and asked them to complete different five-minute tasks. Some had to cross out the letter “e” in pages of text. Others wrote a letter to a sick child. When surveyed afterward, the group that wrote letters perceived themselves to have more time in general than those who did the crossing out.
In another experiment one group of subjects were given a period of free time to do whatever they wanted, while another group had to do something for someone else. Those who did something selflessly perceived themselves as having more time than those with no obligations. Those subjects also reported a stronger sense of personal power and effectiveness.
Many Americans have more leisure time today than ever before. Wouldn’t it be ironic if that all that free time contributes to the feeling that we have none?
—Christie Nicholson
[The above text is a transcript of this podcast.]
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6 Comments
Add CommentOr perhaps we can't complete out planned free time activities in the time allowed? What is that about activities always expanding to exceed the time allocated to them?
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisHowever, testing this hypothesis by interrupting student's class time? Instead, try interrupting student's free time to perform selfless tasks! I suspect results might be different...
What nonsense! Generally Americans have less free time and much longer working hours than any other Western nation. When our average "free" time goes up, it is generally only a reflection of higher unemployment rates.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThe feelings people have over stressing on what time is really free are real. That people feel better about their time spent when they are doing something useful, rather than irrelevant "make work" doesn't require an academic study worthy of publication.
I agree with you. I have so many small "useful everyday tasks" that are important for us to live, not including a job working outside the home, that when I have time to do anything... I'm too tired.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisNow, I set aside an hour of my time during the day, to do whatever I want when I'm not tired. I also think ahead about how long the task takes to plan ahead better.
We have flexible working hours and it works great for us.
Liking your job makes it seem like less work.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThere are many factors that effect how we feel about time.
How many people need your help, how healthy you are.
I do agree with you!
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThere is this old saw "If you need help to get something done, ask as busy man".
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