Travel inevitably comes with a lot of downtime, whether this is sitting around in departures, on a long train journey, or unwinding in the hotel by yourself. During these periods, it is important that you know how to keep yourself entertained and mentally stimulated. Here are a few of the best ways to make these spare moments into more meaningful experiences.
Explore Digital Hobbies On the Go
These days, there are all kinds of hobbies available at your fingertips thanks to smartphones and tablets. A few ideas for fun hobbies to try include mobile games, puzzle apps, and digital drawing – all perfect for long waits or solo travel. In recent years, there has been a growing appeal of accessible, casual games for mental stimulation, including fun games like Slingo. Games like this can help the time fly by and turn boring moments into exciting ones.
Try Short-Form Learning Platforms
There are also many excellent learning platforms that allow you to learn while on the move. Duolingo is a great way to get to grips with a new language, which could be particularly useful during travel. Blinkist is another worthwhile learning platform that can make learning simple with bite-sized knowledge. The UK’s interest in “microlearning” has surged since the pandemic, particularly among young professionals.
Tune Into Podcasts & Audiobooks
Podcasts and audiobooks have also grown in popularity in the UK in recent years, particularly with travellers and commuters. Build a playlist of podcasts and/or audiobooks tailored to your personal interests, and these slower moments of travel will go by much faster. Apps like BBC Sounds and Audible provide high-quality content and will make it easy to find what you are looking for, whether this is the latest bestselling fiction, a personal growth podcast, or something on a niche topic you are interested in.
Get Creative with Travel Journalling & Photography
Spare time can also be turned into a creative outlet, which can help you express yourself and make downtime much more enjoyable. Sketching, journalling, and photography can be therapeutic activities that also allow you to capture memories from your travel experience. You can use platforms like Instagram and VSCO to document your journey and join global communities of hobbyist travellers. You do not need to take an expensive SLR camera around with you either – every smartphone has a high-quality camera that is perfect for capturing travel photos.
Travel can be great fun, valuable, and life-changing, but there can also be a lot of waiting around. For these quieter moments on your travel adventure, it is helpful to have activities you can turn to that will keep you mentally stimulated and entertained. Whether you are sitting around at the airport, on a long train journey, or simply relaxing at your accommodation, you are sure to find these activities to be fun and a great way to pass the time.
