The Novelty Rule: How To Use My Neuroscience Hack That’s Changing Millions Of Lives

Summary

In this episode of the Liz Moody podcast, Liz explores the concept of the 'novelty rule,' a strategy based on neuroscience that helps slow down the perception of time. She explains how introducing novel experiences into our routine creates new memories, making time feel longer and more fulfilling. Liz provides a variety of weekly and monthly novelty ideas, from small changes like brushing with the non-dominant hand to bigger adventures like traveling or visiting new places. She also discusses how anticipation and planning these activities can boost happiness, offering practical tips to enhance life satisfaction.

Takeaways

• 😀 The 'novelty rule' is a technique to make time feel longer and more satisfying by introducing new experiences that alter your brain's perception of time.
• 😀 Neuroscientist Dr. David Eagleman's research shows that new, surprising experiences force the brain to lay down new neural circuitry, making time seem longer.
• 😀 As we age, our brains stop creating new memories as frequently, leading to the feeling that time passes faster. The novelty rule helps counteract this by adding fresh experiences.
• 😀 A month to a child is much longer in perception compared to an adult due to the percentage of their life it represents, so novelty is crucial for adults to slow time perception.
• 😀 The novelty rule doesn't require big changes—small adjustments, like taking a different route home or using your non-dominant hand, can effectively create new memories.
• 😀 To make novelty a habit, it's helpful to schedule these experiences on your calendar, as planning ahead boosts motivation and ensures they happen.
• 😀 The 'anticipation effect' is real—looking forward to planned events can boost mood, reduce stress, and enhance enjoyment over time.
• 😀 Monthly novelty rule activities can be more adventurous, like taking trips or trying new experiences, to help make your year feel richer and more memorable.
• 😀 Including friends in your novelty rule, such as planning trips or novel activities together, helps strengthen relationships and create lasting memories.
• 😀 Parents can use the novelty rule effectively by tapping into the inherent novelty of children’s experiences, like going to the park or a zoo, which offers natural new experiences.
• 😀 Small novelty activities are a great way to prioritize self-care and balance busy family life, with even tiny changes bringing personal fulfillment and enriching your routine.

Q & A

What is the novelty rule, and how does it impact our perception of time?

The novelty rule involves intentionally introducing new experiences or activities into your routine to help your brain create new memories. This process alters your perception of time, making it feel like it stretches longer because your brain records more unique memories, thus slowing down the feeling that time is flying by.

Why does time seem to pass more quickly as we age?

As we age, our brains encounter fewer novel experiences, causing fewer new memories to be formed. Since the brain perceives time by noting changes and surprises, this lack of novelty results in time feeling like it passes faster, as fewer new 'pages' are added to our mental book of memories.

How can we create more novelty in our daily lives?

You can create novelty by making small, intentional changes in your routine. For example, you can try brushing your teeth with your non-dominant hand, change your daily route, try a new recipe, or even engage in a new activity, such as learning a new workout or trying a different genre of TV shows.

What role does anticipation play in enhancing our experience of novelty?

Anticipation can significantly boost mood, motivation, and overall happiness. By scheduling and looking forward to novel activities, you can derive pleasure not only from the experience itself but also from the excitement leading up to it. This helps improve overall life satisfaction.

How can you apply the novelty rule if you have a busy schedule?

You can still apply the novelty rule by integrating small changes into your daily routine. Even with a packed schedule, planning weekly novelty activities, like trying a new hobby or taking a different route to work, can help create new experiences without requiring significant time or effort.

What is the difference between weekly and monthly novelty activities?

Weekly novelty activities involve small changes to your usual routine, like using your non-dominant hand or trying a new recipe. Monthly novelty activities are more substantial, such as taking a trip, attending a concert, or trying something entirely new, like camping or taking a class.

How can the novelty rule help improve relationships, especially with friends?

The novelty rule can improve relationships by encouraging you to experience new things together, which strengthens bonds. Instead of just catching up, doing novel activities with friends creates lasting memories and deepens connections, even when friends are scattered across different locations.

What are some examples of monthly novelty activities?

Examples of monthly novelty activities include going on a trip to visit friends, taking part in a local festival or murder mystery event, going camping, trying out new restaurants, or engaging in creative activities like redecorating a room or hosting a themed dinner.

Can children help us experience novelty more easily?

Yes, children naturally see the world as novel, so experiencing life through their eyes can help you tap into that novelty. Activities like visiting the park, going to Disneyland, or exploring new places with them can create fresh experiences, enriching your own perception of time.

How can parents integrate the novelty rule into their lives while raising kids?

Parents can use their children as 'novelty buddies' by involving them in fun, new activities, such as going on a nature walk, trying new foods, or visiting an aquarium. Additionally, parents can apply the novelty rule to their own time by carving out small moments of novelty in their week, even if just for a few hours.