What is a key characteristic of 'flow' in terms of time perception?

A key characteristic of 'flow'—a psychological state where a person is fully immersed and engaged in an activity—relates to how individuals perceive time during such experiences. When one is in a flow state, time often feels distorted, meaning that hours may feel like mere minutes or vice versa. This occurs because the person’s focus is so intense that they lose track of external time cues.

People in flow are deeply engrossed in what they are doing, leading to a sensation that time is bending or passing differently than it usually does. This distorted perception of time is a hallmark of activities that evoke flow, such as playing an instrument, playing sports, or working on a project that one is passionate about, as the experience blends enjoyment and concentration seamlessly.

On the other hand, precisely calculating time or frequently reviewing it would detract from this deep level of immersion, pulling attention away from the task at hand. Similarly, while time might seem irrelevant in a flow state, the primary and most recognized characteristic remains the distortion of time perception.