She Strengthens

Time Perception: The Hidden Factor in Our Mental Health

Have you ever wondered how you perceive time? Do you see yourself moving towards events in the future, or do you feel like time is moving towards you? This simple question can reveal a lot about our mental health and coping mechanisms.

Two Perspectives on Time

Cognitive science and linguistics research suggest that there are two main perspectives on time: the time-moving perspective and the ego-moving perspective. If you think that a meeting moved forward by two days would be on Monday, you likely have a time-moving perspective. This means you see yourself as a stationary object, with time moving towards you. On the other hand, if you think the meeting would be on Friday, you have an ego-moving perspective, where you see yourself moving towards events in the future.

The Impact of Time Perception on Mental Health

Research suggests that our time perception can affect our mental health. For example, people with depression may be more likely to take a time-moving perspective, which can exacerbate feelings of helplessness. On the other hand, taking an ego-moving perspective can give people a sense of control and agency over their lives.

Coping with Stress and Anxiety

So, how can we use this knowledge to cope with stress and anxiety? According to therapist Natalie Jeung, practicing flexibility is key. We need to be able to move fluidly between the two perspectives, accepting things that are out of our control while still feeling like we can control other aspects of our lives.

The Role of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can also play a crucial role in helping us cope with stress and anxiety. By becoming aware of our habitual ways of thinking and behaving, we can start to change our responses to stressful situations. For example, if we tend to think “I never get anything done in time,” we can reframe that thought to “I’m doing the best I can, and that’s enough.”

Finding a Balance

Ultimately, it’s not about being stuck in one perspective or the other. It’s about finding a balance between the two and being able to adapt to different situations. By doing so, we can gain a greater sense of control and agency over our lives, and improve our mental health in the process.

The Future of Time Perception Research

While there is still more research to be done on the topic of time perception and mental health, the benefits of CBT are already well-documented. By becoming more aware of our time perception and how it affects our mental health, we can start to make positive changes in our lives. As therapist Natalie Jeung says, “The reality is that we do have some agency about what we can do to feel better in our lives.”