…IDEAL for filling the time before Spring arrives.
February is a strangely soulless time. At least January had some personality, even if it was ascetic, abstinent and a little highly strung. This second month though, curtain-twitching, waiting for winter to finish, wondering if spring’s arrived, with absolutely no events of note on the calendar and the residual draft of Christmas still blowing through our bank balance…it can be a real struggle to keep yourself entertained on the cheap. Fear not, we’re here to provide a little inspiration, with these; our 5 affordable ways to beat the boredom this February, IDEAL for filling the time before Spring arrives.
TAKE A HIKE
There’s something about a crisp, clear late winter’s day in England that you just can’t beat. And hiking is a great way to get that much-needed fresh air, nature and exercise which you’ve been putting off because, well, winter. The UK is home to 15 National Parks all perfect for a February hike, with each boasting spectacular natural scenery; so stunning, in fact, that you’ll be pledging more money saving staycations for the rest of 2020.
Check out our list of 7 IDEAL one day hikes in the UK for more. Now that’s affordable.
GIVE YOUR BRAIN A WORKOUT
Giving the ol’ brain a good workout is a great way to stay sharp, focused and to stave off boredom too. Consider a brain training app, of which there are many. The claims of how beneficial they are may be bold, and the validity still under question, but brain training apps have taken off massively in recent years. It’s been suggested they can help everything from boosting memory to alleviating symptoms of mental illness, all very noble causes, indeed.
Most popular (and advantageous) in the elderly age group, these apps can, at the very least, keep a sometimes under-stimulated and lonely mind occupied. During February, when the outdoors isn’t always so appealing, this could be just what you need.
IT’S ALL FUN & GAMES
Staying on the sofa and fiddling with your phone needn’t only revolve around brain training and mindless scrolling. Indeed, there’s a huge variety of online games available to keep February fun and frivolous, from retro arcade games like Snake to high-tech modern games like World of Warcraft. Many online games are free to play and enable communication between gamers; great if you’re feeling a little lonely and want a connection with a like-minded soul.
FREE FEBRUARY ACTIVITIES
Though London is often cited as being one of the most expensive cities in the world, it’s also a place with huge amounts of free indoor stuff to keep you entertained this month. The British Museum, National Gallery, Museum of Arts and the National History Museum, to name but a few, are all free to enter, offering entertainment and boredom fighting potential for less than a penny. We love this city! Check out Visit London’s extensive list of free museums and galleries in London for more.
A PODCAST FOR EVERY OCCASION
Or, at the donning of some headphones and the touch of a button, you could immerse yourself in the ever growing, always intriguing world of podcasts. The medium is huge these days, and the choice almost infinite, but if you dig just a little, you’re bound to find something to keep you entertained. After all, only boring people get bored, right? Some of our favourites right now include Fearne Cotton’s the Happy Place, Scroobius Pip’s Distraction Pieces, and the BBC’s Word of Mouth, all about the beauty and depth of the English Language. Get stuck in and you may well come out the other side of February enlightened.