Muscat: Waiting times are some of the most frustrating moments we experience daily, whether in traffic jams, at the hospital, or while queuing for other services. However, these seemingly wasted times can be transformed into opportunities to learn new things. Instead of giving in to boredom and frustration, there are many ways to exploit these moments productively—whether to develop knowledge, improve mood, or organise tasks.
Experts say that investing these times in productive activities improves both mental and physical health.
In the age of technology, smartphones have become effective tools for learning new things, even during waiting times. Your phone can be turned into an educational tool by downloading useful applications or following online training courses. Apps such as Duolingo for learning languages, or Coursera and Udemy for developing professional skills, have become popular ways to benefit from our ‘down time’.
Mohammed Rashid Abdullah, a self-development specialist, says: “People can use smartphones to access training courses, audiobooks, or educational articles. Instead of wasting time, an individual can develop himself and learn new skills that will help him in his personal and professional life.”
Apps such as Todoist and Google Keep help you write a list of tasks or organise your thoughts, giving you a sense of control and productivity even during waiting times.
Reading is always an ideal way to utilise time. If you find yourself in a situation requiring a long wait, such as for a medical consultation or while completing official transactions, you can carry a book or an e-reader with you. However, if you are driving in traffic, listening to audiobooks or podcasts is the perfect alternative. Audible and Spotify provide a variety of audio content.
Psychologist Sarah al Alawi adds that listening to audiobooks or radio programmes helps to relax and calm the soul. Learning something new or gaining useful information can turn a negative waiting experience into a positive and productive one.
In a world full of daily pressures, waiting times can also be an opportunity to practise meditation and mental relaxation. Instead of feeling stressed or frustrated, these times can be used to calm the mind and regain focus. Deep breathing exercises or simple meditation can be practised anywhere, whether you are sitting in a waiting room or even in your car. Headspace and Calm provide guidance on how to meditate and relax, and are ideal for people who want to improve their mental health. Meditation exercises do not require a long time, and you can feel an improvement in your mood after just a few minutes. One of the most effective ways to use waiting times is for personal reflection and planning.
Waiting can be an opportunity to review your personal and professional goals and determine the next steps to achieve them. You can use your phone to write down new ideas or organise your upcoming projects.
You can also use these periods to write your daily diary or even start writing articles or short stories. These activities help you invest your time in creative ways, turning waiting into a time for innovation and productivity. Waiting periods can also be an opportunity to connect with friends and family, whether through text messages or phone calls. As busy individuals, we often forget to connect with the people we love. Waiting times can be used to have short conversations that maintain these social connections.
In addition to personal communication, you can use professional networking platforms such as LinkedIn to expand your professional network and learn about new opportunities. Effective communication, whether social or professional, can have a significant positive impact on improving your life.
Even if you are sitting in a crowded waiting area, you can do some light exercise. Simple movements such as stretching your body or moving your neck and shoulders can help improve blood circulation and reduce physical stress.
Ultimately, waiting times do not have to be boring. Instead, these moments can be used for learning, planning, relaxation and even constructive socialising.
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