Chill Things to Do on an “Off Day” Whilst Traveling
Maybe it’s raining, maybe its pouring, or perhaps you have a bad case of jet-lag after a long haul flight. Maybe you are between cities and really just want to rest your feet from sight-seeing for hours upon end. We all get to those burn-out places in our travels when, while we may be really excited to explore the new place before us, our human batteries are running low and some re-charge is definitely needed to enjoy the rest of the trip. Here are some chill activities that require little brain power and can be done in almost any city on those “off days” within your busy travel itinerary.
Spend time in nature
If your travels happen to land you in New York City during spring, this is an obvious win and Central Park will be glad to greet you with open arms, just as happily you will be to enter into it. However, if you’re traveling through any other area in the world, most cities and towns have their own version of this huge expanse of greenery.
Whether it’s a large park or a smaller area in nature with walking trails or ponds, finding a pretty spot outdoors is a great way to spend your relaxing day off from photo snapping and restaurant hopping. Maybe you’re in an area that is already known for its great natural landmarks and finding a beautiful spot is easily within reach. If not, ask the locals where you can go to spend some peaceful time laying in the grass or sprawled out on a bench. Wherever and in whatever position you end up, a couple of hours spent in nature is sure to refresh your wearied travel soul.
Discovering local parks or natural spaces is a free and relaxing way to spend a day in a new city or town
Disconnect using mobile play
One of the best travel tips out there is always said in much the same way: pack light. For some this is easy and for others it is a huge feat. No matter what side of the suggestion you stand on, it’s obvious that gaming consoles don’t exactly fit into the category of “nonobtrusive items” within a suitcase. So while your common hobby after the weight and intensity of a long workday may be to plop on the couch and zone out with an interactive video game transporting you into another world, this will probably not be possible in your shared hostel, cozy Airbnb, or 3 star hotel room.
Instead, a great way to chill out is by disconnecting through downloadable games on your smart phone, the tiny computer that travels with you everywhere and the one thing you are sure to have on any trip. There are thousands of entertaining games on offer for Android and iOS that will cater to any mood you may be in; there are games for learning, games for building, for shooting, and the list goes on. If you’re the type who likes to exercise some brain muscles while relaxing, strategic games such as poker or chess are also easily accessible for online play. Even the traveling sports fanatics who utilize free bets to engage with their favorite teams back home can use these travel “chill” days to check stats, scores, and watch live or playback coverage.
While limiting screen time during traveling is important in order to enjoy every encounter to the fullest, disconnecting using mobile games or by watching sports from the comfort of your travel “home” is equally as needed and will maybe even reset your mind for the long day of walking or flying that is afoot.
Go to a book café
Though the idea of a day off from your normal travel routine is to limit exploring and walking around whatever city you may be in, venturing out to a quiet café, sipping a cappuccino and munching down on a buttery croissant may just be a great way to unwind. While you’re at it- make it a book café and narrow your Google search to include places with small bookshelves or libraries. In big cities these are quite common and many act as bookshops within cafés, selling literature of all types.
Even if you’re not much of a reader, head out to a neighborhood café of any type to kick off your day of relaxation with a chai latte or iced coffee and strike up some conversation with the locals, maybe even getting some valuable travel advice while resting your feet.
Enjoy an indoor yoga or meditation routine
Let’s face it – sometimes travel is stressful. Maybe that stress is brought on by an unprecedented act of pickpocketing, a canceled flight, or even sickness while abroad. Whatever the source, while traveling away from home it is extremely important to make time for your mental health. A great way to do so is by engaging in an online exercise or yoga session that can be easily streamed through YouTube for free with just a mobile phone. Set your mat up in whatever space you currently inhabit during your travels and plug in your headphones, relaxing into the position that is right for you.
Rather than opting to follow a guided meditation or yoga routine online, some may prefer a more intense workout like boxing or running. If your accommodation has a gym use this time to sweat out the stress and if not, utilize the materials around you to make do with what you have. Make sure that you take care of yourself well, especially as science shows that the body, mind, and soul can often go through many changes in different atmospheres brought on by travel.
Making the time to give your body and mind the rest it needs while traveling can make all the difference
Facetime family or friends from home
Chances are that, if you’re a frequent traveler, your family and friends back in your home state or country miss your presence in their lives greatly. Being the nomadic person you are, guaranteeing that you’ll be in a good time zone with adequate Wi-Fi to touch base with your loved ones isn’t always realistic.
Take advantage of the days you aren’t busy traveling or hopping around and make some of those calls you haven’t had the time for, updating people who are eager to hear all of your travel stories in vivid detail. Be cautious of additional phone charges associated with long-distance calls as a few minutes on the wrong line may cost you more than you have to spare in your travel budget.
Whether you choose to do one or all of these things on your chill “day off,” make sure to squeeze in some time throughout every week, particularly in long-term travel, for yourself and the relaxation of your mind and body to be able to enjoy your experiences that much more.
