Travelling is fun, but the hours spent inside an aircraft having to stay in your seat is not so much fun. A lot of people can agree on this and find it hard to survive long flights. Mostly because, however they tried, they still are unable to fall asleep, meaning there’s no chance of sleeping away a couple of hours. And while we’re sure you’ve already heard some of these suggestions, we can guarantee they are definitely worth a try. In fact, anything’s worth a try to make that clock tick away!
Read a book or … write a book!
So the first part you must have heard already and you’ve probably even done it many times over, but have you ever considered, writing a book? I know this might sound crazy but hear me out a little here. What if all that time spent on a plane could be put to good use? I’m not talking about writing a novel; although if you want to, go ahead! That would be quite a story to tell when you become famous.
Interviewer: What inspired you to write the book?
You: Well, it’s a funny story really, I was bored on a flight so I took out my laptop and started typing away.
Wouldn’t that be pretty awesome? But if you’re not at all interested in this sort of accomplishment, why not write a short story? It could be inspired by a dream/nightmare you had. Even if you aren’t interested in publishing it, wouldn’t be fun to read it out to your younger siblings, children or friend?
Listen to a podcast or watch TED talks videos
We know the easiest thing to do is watch a few episodes from your favorite series or even a movie which you would have already downloaded for the flight (unless there’s Wi-fi available on the plane) and there is nothing wrong with that. But what if you changed it up a bit and listened to a podcast or watched some interesting TED talks videos. Needless to say, there is an endless selection of talks that cover different topics, so there is no doubt you will find something that piques your interest. From life lessons to professional anecdotes, and bits of timeless wisdom. Here are 5 of the best ted talks ever according to the guy who runs TED to get you started.
Play a game
Now I know what you’re thinking − what if you’re flying alone? Fear not, there are plenty of options for you to choose from nonetheless. First of all, you can browse games prior to your flight and download them on your mobile phone or iPad/tablet. If you have wi-fi access, even better because as you can simply browse for games online. The good thing is that there really is no end to what games you can plan if you have an internet connection, and if you’re feeling lucky, you could even try your luck with some money games too. In any case, make sure your phone’s fully charged before you board the plane!
Knit a beanie, a pair gloves … or just learn how to knit!
Do you already know how to knit? Great! In that case, there’s a lot of projects you can take on during the flight. Needless to say, you can find endless ideas on the internet. In fact, here are some ideas to get you inspired. If you don’t know how to knit, why not take this opportunity to learn the basics! You can find easy-to-follow beginner guides online or even watch tutorial videos on YouTube. Again, if you’re not sure whether you’re going to have internet on the plane, just download a few videos beforehand on your iPad or laptop. And what’s more is that you don’t need a lot of stuff to knit − just a pair of knitting needles, some wool, and you’re good to go!
Unleash your inner artist
Pick up a pencil and start sketching in a notebook or something, drawing not only helps pass the time but it also helps you relax. If you insist you are not artistically inclined, don’t turn this idea down just yet. You still have another option: adult coloring books. That’s right there’s the word “adult” in front of “coloring book”, which many would argue is not a combination they would have heard of since coloring books are thought to only be for kids. But you would be surprised to learn that Mandalas are actually used universally to promote healing and other positive states of being. Check out this article to see why, and if you’re convinced, get yourself a Mandala colouring book on Amazon. Because, why not?
That’s all we have for you today! We hope you take on some of these suggestions next time you’re on a long flight.