Whether you are on the commute to work or traveling on vacation, sitting there with nothing to do but watching the world go by can make your journey feel like it is going on forever and this can be boring and frustrating. While some people might enjoy this time to get lost in thought, many prefer to find something to occupy their minds and make their traveling experience more fun and go faster. If this sounds like you, here are a few suggestions to help you stay entertained when you’re on your travels.
Create an Awesome Playlist
Listening to music can be a great way to feel more relaxed and upbeat on your travels, particularly if you have curated the ultimate playlist to match your mood, such as a soundtrack for your vacation, ambient music to help soothe you after a long day at work, or some classic rock or pop to put a spring your step and help you feel energized. If you don’t want to bother creating a playlist yourself, there are plenty to choose from that have been created by other listeners or put together based on your recent listing by Spotify.
Listen to a Podcast
If you’re not in the mood for music but would still like to tune out your surroundings, you can always put on an interesting podcast instead. Again, there are countless podcasts to listen to on Spotify, Apple Music, or whatever platform you use to listen, so finding something you love shouldn’t be too hard. It could be getting lost in a shocking true crime mystery, spooky tales of the supernatural, or even a comedy podcast for a few light-hearted laughs to boost your mood. Whatever your preferred subject matter, there will be a podcast out there to keep you entertained for hours on end.
Play Some Games
There are tons of games you can play on your travels, some of which you can also play with your fellow travel companions. For example, if you’re on the train, plane, or ferry – why not get out a deck of cards and play some classics such as Go Fish, rummy, or even up the ante with a friendly poker game? If you prefer video games over cards, there are many you can play on your smartphones or with a handheld console that is easy to fit in your bag and take on your travels. If you love old retro games, you can now play these arcade favorites on handheld consoles, too! If you aren’t sure about how well these games will translate from the bulky arcade machines, read this post on what happens when retro goes handheld? You might be pleasantly surprised.
Read a Book
If you would like to take a break from screens during your travel time or want to minimize how often you use your phone while on vacation, the perfect alternative could be getting lost in a great book. Whether it’s fiction or non-fiction, traveling is the perfect time to catch up on some reading and will certainly help to make your journey go faster. Whether you want something light-hearted to enjoy on the beach or you want to tackle some of the classics of decades gone by, take a book with you on your commute or for your plane journey and then pick it up again when you’re relaxing by the pool. If you don’t want to carry books with you, invest in an eReader that allows you to still enjoy your favorite books without weighing down your bags or listen to an audiobook instead.
Do Some Doodling/Sketching
This is not only a good way to pass the time, but it can also help you indulge in your creative side as well. Getting a small sketchbook and some pens or pencils so that you can sketch while you’re on a long journey is a fun activity, but it can also be very relaxing. Even if you’re not that keen on drawing, you can still buy adult coloring books for the same reason, and this might be useful to those who sometimes get a little bit nervous or anxious about traveling or flying, as it can help to focus your mind and soothe you.
If you are getting ready for a long journey or are even looking at ways to make your daily commute more bearable, consider the suggestions above and see which ones might work to keep you happy and entertained while you travel.