Mix it up for slower, more memorable days
Published 9:00 pm Friday, January 6, 2017
Another year has gone by, and it just seems like even more than ever time is flying. I certainly don’t want to stop the clock, but I sure wish there were days that it would slow down a bit.
And with this seemingly speed-of-lighting life I am leading, I have noticed that days turn into weeks before I know it, and with it memories also seem to fade.
Have you ever had to think hard about what you did the day before, or lose track of what day of the week it is?
That feeling kind of scares me.
But alas, thanks to the January/February issue of the Dr. Oz magazine, the cardiothoracic surgeon, professor, author and television personality, has a scientific reason as to why this phenomenon happens and even reveals how we can in some ways “slow down the clock.”
“Our brains don’t bother noting our routines much,” Oz writes, so as we go about doing our daily grind of chores or jobs, our memories are kind of like on autopilot, nothing new to remember.
However, in an effort to create the sense of time if we try new things, our brains pay extra attention, Oz writes, thus adding to our memories.
“That’s why time seems to feel longer during death defying events, your brain adds extra info to your memory bank, so you think more time has elapsed,” Oz writes.
I am all about making my days memorable, but living on the edge is not in my genetics. Thankfully, in his article, Dr. Oz gives suggestions of how the rest of us can make each day more memorable.
His suggestions are relatively easy fixes.
• Wiggle around your week
Try to schedule one or two things that are a little out of the ordinary like meeting up with a friend or carving out a little time at lunch to read.
• Make bigger small talk
Dr. Oz suggests turning off your phone when you are in line at the supermarket and strike up a conversation with those standing in line.
“These may not be the most monumental of moments, but they can be meaningful ones.”
• Enlist a sidekick
If there is something that you have wanted to do, grab a friend and go do it.
“Make a pact to go in tandem. Your insecurity will morph into excitement.”
I like Dr. Oz’s ideas, and they have even gotten me thinking about a few ideas of my own.
Wishing everyone a memorable and Happy New Year!
Terri Cowart Frazier is a staff writer at The Vicksburg Post. You may reach her at vicksburgpost.com. Readers are invited to submit their opinions for publication.