Found yourself with some unexpected downtime? Downtime is essential for everyone, regardless of your lifestyle or how busy you are. Downtime gives you the time and space to decompress, rest, relax, and regain your groove if life is overwhelming. Far from wasting time doing nothing, doing nothing is never wasted, sometimes it’s exactly what is called for at a specific moment in time; it's an effective tool in health and wellness and can support good mental health.
But if boredom is setting in and you need fun ways to fill downtime wherever you are or wherever the opportunity presents itself, then these fun ways could be precisely what you're looking for.
Games
Board games, online games, video games, or anything else you enjoy doing, games are a great way to spend your time. Whether you are going for that quintessential rainy day activity you enjoy as a family while on vacation, or you need to kill time waiting for kids to come out of another sports club, you are waiting for a flight transfer, or you simply couldn't find anything to watch on Netflix. Free time is the perfect time to indulge in gameplay. From Monopoly to Call of Duty, or you play app games such as Candy Crush or Wordle or prefer to online games such as this pool game, there are hundreds of options for you to choose from to kill time or make the most of the spare time you've found yourself with.
Watch a TED Talk
TED talks are short but engaging talks that share ideas and information with others. They're delivered by experts in their fields and thought leaders who can share wisdom and perspectives you might not be aware of or have considered. Regardless of the topic, TED talks can be fantastic learning opportunities.
TED Talks are from various fields, including science, technology, entertainment, and design. To make them more accessible, they are available in video and audio formats.
Plan A Trip
Even if you are not in a position to book it just yet, what is the harm in planning your next trip so you know your options for finding new places to explore or even completing a bucket list of vacation ideas to aim for in your life? You never know, you might find the perfect bargain that is exactly what you need and allows you to make solid plans for the future. If not, you can wistfully pursue amazing destinations and vacation ideas to keep you enticed and motivated to get there.
Exercise
Downtime isn’t always needed for rest. It be the perfect time to do something that makes you feel good, and exercise is the perfect thing if this is what you need. Head to the gym, go for a walk or a run, have a swim, or join an exercise class. Do anything you want, but exercise is a great activity to slot into unexpected downtime. Remember, if you have fun, it'll have even more of an impact.
Have a Nap
Grab a pillow and blanket, and get your head down for a nap. While regular naps aren't really recommended, the odd nap here and there can be exactly what you need when you have a clear schedule and nothing else to do. Can't fall asleep easily? No problem, many people find the perfect way to get an unexpected nap is to browse streaming services looking for something to watch, and you can guarantee you'll be asleep as soon as you decide on the perfect film or show to watch! (Not scientifically proven, but universally acknowledged, this phenomenon is real.)
Volunteer
If doing something worthwhile is more up your street, then use your downtime to volunteer with worthwhile causes. Maybe you can take a shelter dog out for a walk or a run or simply spend time with them at the kennels. You can go shopping for a person who can’t get out themselves to do their own shopping. You can use an app that helps blind people with tasks they can’t easily do alone, and you can join seniors on trips out or visit care homes, children's wards, and more. Thousands of charitable organisations are grateful for volunteers on a one-off or regular basis.
There are so many options for those who suddenly find themselves with time to spare and ideas to occupy them, from doing nothing and taking a nap to educational activities and volunteer roles. If you're looking for something to do, these ideas can be just up your street.
No comments