Time Perspective Training

Why should I take part in training to improve my time perspective?

With this training, we want to promote the ability to switch flexibly between the individual time perspectives (see section "What is a time perspective?"). A large body of research shows that this ability is associated with a greater sense of well-being. In addition, this ability is also associated with better self-regulation, less procrastination, a healthier lifestyle, less stress, better emotion regulation and greater resilience. By promoting your (balanced) time perspective, this training therefore aims to increase your well-being and, among other things, reduce stress, strengthen your ability to regulate yourself and your emotions and promote your resilience.

What is a time perspective?

We all sometimes remember past experiences, plan our future or are completely in the present moment with our thoughts. This classification of our experiences into temporal categories is known as time perspective . Researchers have also found that it is particularly beneficial if we can switch flexibly between these temporal categories, depending on what is helpful for the current situation. For example, thinking about how we will work in our dream job in the future could motivate us to prepare well for an exam. On the other hand, remembering past successes could give us confidence when we are faced with a challenge. On the other hand, it could be helpful to be fully in the present moment when we meet up with friends for a game night. A different (time) perspective is therefore helpful depending on the situation. This ability to switch between different time perspectives is also known as a balanced time perspective.

What can I expect from the training?

As part of the training to promote the (balanced) time perspective, selected and proven exercises as well as exercises specially designed for this purpose have been put together. Some of the exercises aim to promote the individual time perspectives (i.e. remembering the past, anticipating the future or staying in the present moment). Other exercises, on the other hand, focus on improving the ability to switch flexibly between these time perspectives. To this end, various exercises from the three areas of past, present and future are presented in each session. For example, participants are instructed to establish a more optimistic style of thinking or to focus on the present moment and the various sensory impressions as part of various mindfulness exercises.

When does the training take place?

Due to limited capacity, the training will take place at different times. You can register to take part in the study on the study website. After registration, participants will be randomly assigned to different groups. There will be several identical training cycles (5 weeks each with 1 session/week). The group assignment indicates on which dates you can participate in the training. You will be informed by e-mail when you can take part in the training. All training sessions take place digitally.

For a better overview, two training cycles are offered per registration phase. These can be found on the study website. If the available dates do not suit you, you can indicate this in the registration process. In this case, we will contact you by e-mail when new dates become available. If there are more registrations than places available, the persons concerned will be informed and will also be given the opportunity to be placed on a waiting list.

How can I register?

You can register to take part in the training to promote the Balanced Time Perspective via the start page of the study (click here to register). After registering, you will be randomly assigned to a training cycle. You will also be asked to enter your e-mail address so that we can then send you the information on your assignment to the respective training cycle and the invitation to the online surveys. Once you have entered your e-mail address, you will receive a separate link for all surveys, which will take you to the actual survey. This procedure ensures that anonymous participation in the study is guaranteed. Consequently, there is no connection between your e-mail address and your other details at any time. Your answers in the questionnaires (separate link by e-mail) are therefore completely anonymous.

What is my task?

During the study, your task is to take part in the training to promote your balanced time perspective and to carry out the associated exercises. At the beginning, you will be introduced to the training by the study team. In addition, each exercise will be explained to you by the study team during the sessions. You will also receive written instructions and materials for carrying out the exercises. After the introduction and with the support of the materials, you can then carry out the exercises independently at home between sessions.
In addition to the training sessions, you will receive a link to a short online survey at three different times with questionnaires on your well-being, stress experience and perception of the past, present and future, among other things. Each online survey takes around 20 minutes to complete and can be completed conveniently on your smartphone, tablet or computer. During the 5-week training phase, you will also receive access to a training diary. There you can write down feedback and comments on the exercises and record your training using a few short questions.

Who can take part in the study?

Anyone who is at least 18 years old can take part in the study. In addition, they must not have a mental illness at the time of participation. A mental illness is present if you are currently undergoing psychiatric/psychotherapeutic treatment or have been diagnosed with a mental illness by a doctor or psychotherapist. If you have already completed psychiatric/psychotherapeutic treatment in the past (you are no longer undergoing treatment), you are welcome to take part in this study.