Audiobooks have become increasingly popular recently, mostly because they allow people to multitask. In a world where everything is fast-paced, sometimes we don’t get time to sit and read our favorite books.
Luckily, we have audiobooks. Listening to audiobooks allows us to do our daily tasks and activities while diving into a whole new world of experiences. Popular companies, like Audible from Amazon, have made it very convenient for subscribers to listen to virtually any book they desire.
Cleaning, exercising, or recreational activities, it can be done while listening to an audiobook. Let’s look at 17 ideas for what to do while listening to audiobooks.
Exercise
If you are someone who thrives being active, going outdoors, hiking, going to the gym, etc. a good audiobook could be the perfect companion to keep your mind occupied while exercising.
1. Jogging
Jogging is a very popular form of exercise since you don’t need to pay a gym fee to jog in your neighborhood. While jogging, you could put on a motivational audiobook to push you along.
Your focus would shift from your running to your audiobook, and because of this you might notice more endurance and distance in your jogging routine. Give it a try!
2. Hiking
There is nothing like spending the day, or multiple days, being in nature. Add to the experience by listening to an audiobook while on a hike. Sometimes you might finish a whole book while hiking. It’s a very satisfying and accomplished feeling!
3. At the gym
The gym is the perfect all around fitness spot. Some people find it motivating to be around other fitness enthusiasts. Although some might find the noise inside the gym quite overwhelming.
Popping in your earphones and listening to an audiobook is the perfect solution. Fast-paced books are often preferred when exercising, like thrilling detective novels.
4. Going for a walk (with your dog)
You don’t have to be a fitness fanatic to still enjoy going for a walk to spend time in nature (or with your dog). Many people prefer walking while listening to an audiobook. Usually, a relaxing romantic novel or introspective autobiography are great options to listen to on a walk.
This could also include taking your dog for a daily walk. Depending on your dog’s necessary exercise requirements, these walks could get quite long-winded. This means that listening to an audiobook while keeping your dog healthy might be a great win-win solution.
Remember to be safe when walking, jogging, or hiking while listening to an audiobook. Keep an eye on your surroundings and pause the story before crossing a road or a busy path.
It would be a good idea to only have one earphone in one of your ears. Keep your other ear open to listen, and be aware of your surroundings.
Chores
Unlike the previous section, not as many people are chore or cleaning fanatics. A sure-fire way to make your chores more bearable is to put on a good audiobook that suits your reading preference.
Giving your mind something different to focus on, often makes your chores fly by faster and easier.
5. Gardening
Putting your green thumb to work in the spring and summer is very relaxing, but if you live in a noisy neighborhood, it can be quite distracting.
We recommend listening to an audiobook while planting, digging up weeds, or watering your garden. An audiobook removes the distractions of the hustle and bustle around your yard and allows you to enjoy your gardening.
6. Working
Since the pandemic in 2020, a lot more people are working from home. Sometimes our work includes mindless or boring repetitive tasks, which we usually dread. Listening to an audiobook while doing these tasks can be a game changer.
This won’t work for jobs where you need to be attentive, but if you are working from home it could be just perfect to keep your mind occupied.
Next time you find yourself thinking ‘why am I doing this?’ while working, grab your phone and put on a good audiobook. Thank us later!
7. Cleaning the house
If you like to clean your house or your room because it’s satisfying, listening to an audiobook can make it an even better experience. Multi-tasking and cleaning your home can be the perfect time to catch up with your favorite author’s most recent books.
Some audiobooks have great tips on tidying up and cleaning which you can implement as you go. It’s a great motivation to clean and declutter your space.
8. Washing the dishes
Washing the dishes would also be a lot more tolerable while listening to an audiobook. Listening to a story takes your mind off the thoughtless process of washing dishes and prevents boredom.
Immerse yourself in a fantasy world for the perfect escape from the mountain of dishes in front of you.
9. Cooking
You can get audiobook versions of virtually any type of book, including cookbooks! You could listen to a recipe while making it or you could listen to an autobiography of a famous chef (or any other book that you fancy).
There are no limits to what type of book you could listen to while cooking, and if you already enjoy cooking, listening to an audiobook simply adds to the joy of it!
Recreation
10. Commuting
If you need to take a commute and you usually read to pass the time, why don’t you try listening to an audiobook? Your eyes won’t get strained from reading in a moving vehicle, but you could still ‘read’ your favorite story.
Having headphones over your ears is also a great way of saying “don’t disturb me” to other commuters. No one likes a chatty Kathy when they’re trying to read.
11. Crafting
If you are someone who loves to craft (knit, crochet, etc.) then you will really enjoy keeping your mind occupied with audiobooks. Once you’ve done crafting for a while it becomes easier and more mindless.
Some people love that feeling and thus love crafting. Listening to an audiobook allows you to multitask crafting something while reading a book you love. It’s the perfect combination!
12. Falling asleep
If you find it difficult to fall asleep, there are also many audiobooks available designed specifically to encourage sleep. Some people feel like their minds can’t shut off. When this happens we recommend listening to a sleep or meditation audiobook to force your mind to only focus on one thing. The narrator guides you to sleep in a soft and smooth voice.
Extra Ideas
13. Read along while listening
Try to read along while listening to an audiobook. While some people might love doing this, others might not. You could try this method with a nonfiction book or an educational textbook.
Reading while listening could help you retain more information, so listening to audiobooks would be a great studying hack. Don’t knock it till you try it.
14. Listen while showering
If you have a portable bluetooth speaker, this is the perfect opportunity to use it. Put on an audiobook before you hop in the shower. It’s a great way to motivate yourself to get ready while still consuming the content you want to.
You can apply this to your whole getting ready routine.
15. Organize your bookshelf
Put on a good audiobook and head to your bookshelf. Read here for 7 clever ways to organize your bookshelf. Take down all your books and organize them to your liking (alphabetically or color-coded).
Organizing and decluttering while listening to an audiobook, makes the whole process endurable. Maybe you’ll even enjoy it!
16. Paint your nails
Listen to an audiobook while you paint your nails. Since you can’t read a book while your nails are wet, this is the perfect solution. Take your time, and pamper yourself.
17. People watch at a local coffee shop
Go to your local coffee shop and find a table with a view of the street. Order a coffee (or tea), put in your earphones, and listen to your audiobook.
While listening to your book, watch the people around you. This sounds awkward at first, but as your mind is immersed in a new world, the people around you might become characters in your book.
That mysterious man drinking a cup of tea, what tea does he like? That girl who walks with a limp, what happened? Make up stories in your head and witness how your imagination flourishes!
Just remember not to stare like a crazy person: the goal is never to make eye contact.
Final Thoughts
Now you have 17 ideas for what to do while listening to audiobooks, these are not the only things you could multitask with, though! You can do almost anything while listening to an audiobook. It’s time to start that audiobook that you’ve been dying to listen to and choose one of these activities.
Should you get the unabridged version or the abridged version of the audiobook? Read here to find out!
