Eli5 why does time “fly” in times of enjoyment but seem to drag on when we are uninterested in what we are doing or what is happening?

Question

I’ve been pondering this one for a while and really can’t figure it out.

In: Physics

Answer 1

Because when you’re having fun, you’re distracted. Your brain is engaged by something. In terms of time, it thinks about multiple things, not just what’s happening right now but what will happen in 5 minutes or an hour. That means you’re not fixating on the present.

When you’re bored and have nothing to occupy you, your brain just fixates on the next thing that will happen. So if you’re in class and are waiting for the bell to ring, that’s all you can think of.

It’s actually not *just* when you’re having fun. The same thing will happen any time your brain is engaged in something.