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We’ve all been there. You’re waiting for a bus to arrive or the new Marvel movie to start, and to fill the time you pick up your phone and start scrolling aimlessly through social media. It’s only for a few minutes, and it’s just something to do while you wait. It’s harmless, right?

But think about how many of these in-between moments you have throughout the course of the day. Waiting for lectures to start or friends to arrive, lounging in bed before you get up, watching your food slowly cook in the microwave. This downtime adds up to a significant portion of time each day, so why waste it doing nothing, or worse, staring at your phone? All these minutes scattered throughout your life could be put to better use. Even just five minutes is enough to be productive in some way.

So next time you find yourself reaching for your phone in a moment of boredom, consider some other ways you could make the most of this time.

Read

By having a book to hand wherever you go, you always have something to turn your mind to if you get bored. It doesn’t matter whether it’s fiction or non-fiction, a classic novel or a pulpy romance; reading is good for the brain and expands your knowledge much more than your Facebook feed will.

Think productively

If you are in the middle of a tricky work dilemma or have a personal crisis you can’t find a way out of, use your downtime to think deeply about the problem, and come up with solutions for solving it.

Talk

Technology often makes us forget the importance of genuine human connection. Next time you’re waiting in line, strike up a conversation with the person in front of you. Even if it’s just to compliment them on their dress sense, you will most likely boost their mood, and you may even make a new friend.

Listen to a TED talk

TED talks are a great way to inspire yourself to action and expand your knowledge on a vast range of different topics. They are generally up to 15 minutes long, so perfect for those short periods in between tasks. 

Stretch

Even 30 seconds is enough time to be productive. Take this time to stretch out any stiff, aching muscles and relax any areas of tension. Your body will thank you for it later.

Do a puzzle

Training your brain throughout the day will, over time, help you to improve your memory, attention span, and reduce the likelihood of developing cognitive disorders in later life. Complete a puzzle such as a crossword, jumble solver, or Su Doku every day to keep your mind sharp. 

Meditate

Modern life can be busy and stressful, particularly if you are always turning to your phone in moments of boredom. Avoid the anxiety-inducing effects of social media and instead create a sense of calm by breathing deeply and meditating for a few minutes. Download a guided meditation app to help you get started.

We only have a limited number of minutes in our life, so every single one should be precious. Be mindful of how you spend your time and use it as well as you can. Because once your time is up, you won’t get any more.