My ears and brain are occupied, now, what about the rest of me?

January 7, 2012 6:49 PM

What can I do to keep my hands (or the rest of me) busy while I'm listening to audiobooks?

There's loads of good resources for audio books out there and I'd like to start making use of them. The problem is, if I just sit and listen, I fall asleep. What else can I do while simultaneously listening to an audio book?

I like crafts and hobbies but I need to have a point to whatever I'm making. For example, I can make chain maille jewellery and used to do so while listening. Now though, I have 20+ bracelets in a variety of weaves and that's more than enough jewellery for me, so I don't see a reason to make more. I have tried to learn to knit a couple of times but it didn't seem to take - I am toying with the idea of trying it again, so if you're a knitter, enthuse me! I can cross stitch, but it's something that I don't really see a point to because I'm not big on decorative stuff around the house. I can sew clothing and bags, but I've done quite a bit of that over the last year and I'm looking for something new.

Exercise of some description might be a good option...goodness knows I could use more! I'm not keen on heading outside at this time of year (the forecast is 41 deg C/105 deg F, but at least it's not humid). I have a wii step and enough room to swing a cat in the living room, not that my kitty would take kindly to that. Interesting suggestions that utilise the step or the space (not the kitty!) would be great. Outside suggestions are good too, for use when the weather cools down a bit.

So what else is out there that will keep my hands (or entire body) busy, while leaving my mind free to enjoy at audio book? Bonus points for activities that have minimal start up costs :) Suggestions don't have to be craft related - that's just what I've thought of previously. I am willing to take the time to become at least semi-proficient before adding audio books to the mix.

posted by eloeth-starr to Sports, Hobbies, & Recreation (32 answers total)

I don't enjoy knitting on its own, and I don't enjoy listening to audiobooks while doing nothing, but put together, the combination is cosy and fun and very addictive. If you knit something large like a jumper, it will take long enough that you won't end up with too many knitted items. Or you can start making next year's Christmas presents already.

I also like listening to audiobooks while walking, but if the weather is too hot, that won't work. If you get a waterproof mp3 player you could listen while swimming?

Finally, jigsaw puzzles go well with audiobooks too, in my experience.
posted by lollusc at 6:54 PM on January 7, 2012 [1 favorite]

Try knitting again? Podcasts make me a super productive knitter! Or perhaps quilting, if you like sewing? You need some space to cut out the fabric and some initial investment in basic supplies, but you can make blankets! Great for cold weather!
posted by MadamM at 6:55 PM on January 7, 2012

Origami or paper cutting can be fun.
posted by sciencegeek at 6:57 PM on January 7, 2012 [1 favorite]

I walk on the treadmill. I do puzzles. I play RPGs or a game like puzzle quest on my xbox or gameboy (i can pause the audiobook if there's a big cutscene). I walk around the town.
posted by OnTheLastCastle at 6:58 PM on January 7, 2012

Running/jogging/walking

I like to cook while watching Hulu/Netflix/...other. I generally don't have to think too much, or watch either.
posted by the man of twists and turns at 7:00 PM on January 7, 2012

I listen to audiobooks on my commute. My commute is pretty long, so that works great. But even on a short trip, it's worthwhile.

Also, weeding the garden and doing the dishes. And routine cooking (i.e. where I don't have to keep puzzling out the recipe).
posted by DU at 7:02 PM on January 7, 2012

Walking, training on machines at the gym (ellipticals, weight machines, Pilates), shopping, and housecleaning are my top audiobook co-activities.
posted by yellowcandy at 7:08 PM on January 7, 2012

If knitting didn't click for you, might try crocheting instead? I found crocheting to make so much more sense than knitting, and also easier to set down a project and pick it up again without losing my place. So far I really just crochet rectangles (dishrags, scarves), but then there's very little counting required, so great for listening to books.

Would also agree with audio books in the car or on another commute. Especially if I have to get through traffic jams, having a book on really helps keep me calm. And I can always back it up if I miss a bit.
posted by dorey_oh at 7:15 PM on January 7, 2012 [2 favorites]

Oh yeah, and gardening! Especially weeding, since it's so slow and quiet. My irises are forever associated with a particular book I heard while clearing the bed for winter a couple years ago.
posted by dorey_oh at 7:18 PM on January 7, 2012

I have the opposite problem as you: I always need to find things to watch/listen to, to keep me occupied while I knit. Knitting and media consumption are made for each other.

Doing your nails would be perfect, if you're into that; you won't be bored waiting for your polish to dry.

Cleaning is another idea. All the really boring cleaning, like dusting the corners and stuff.
posted by Metroid Baby at 7:20 PM on January 7, 2012

Jigsaw puzzles are great for audio books. Also, do you like to paint? I find that my work created while I'm slightly distracted with an audiobook seems less forced than when I work with all my focus.
posted by Nickel Pickle at 7:27 PM on January 7, 2012

I clean while listening to podcasts. It's surprising how much I can get done and it doesn't feel like any time has gone by. I'm talking bathrooms, folding laundry, dusting, windows; all that really boring stuff.
posted by cooker girl at 7:34 PM on January 7, 2012 [1 favorite]

Nthing housework, washing dishes and cleaning up the kitchen especially.
posted by platinum at 7:49 PM on January 7, 2012

I like loom knitting. Super easy, even tho I hate knitting. And it goes quickly!
posted by houseofdanie at 7:52 PM on January 7, 2012

Go to your friendly neighbourhood craft store/web site and browse though their craft kits, looking for an item you would use once you made it.
posted by orange swan at 8:40 PM on January 7, 2012

I'm teaching myself embroidery to go with podcasts. I'm already a fairly advanced knitter, but knitting is usually my TV/movie thing because I can knit without really looking at my hands too much. Embroidery needs my eyes pretty much constantly, so I thought it would go well with podcasts (or audio books). Look up Aimee Ray's books/web site/etsy shop and see if it looks interesting. I'm already eyeing everything in my house (my Converse, shopping bags, my daughter's jeans, pillow cases) for possible embellishment!

But as far as knitting goes, sock knitting is my thing. Which seems crazy, but it's a fairly inexpensive project, and portable and easy and I love all my colorful socks, which I would have never known until I made them, but are a million times more comfortable than store-bought.

I also grudgingly agree with others who have said that household chores fly by when you're listening to a book or podcast (but pfft, crafting is more fun anyway).
posted by upatree at 8:58 PM on January 7, 2012

Lace knitting can be very affordable, because it takes so much time to burn through all that yardage.

One of the biggest reasons knitting doesn't 'stick' for people is they get bored about 2 miles into a scarf. They seriously take forever and many people find them borrrring.

But a simple lace pattern on size 5 needles can offer just the right amount of interest to an audiobook. It's a lot like weeding. You have to recognize the weeds from the carrot shoots, but you don't have to really think super hard about it.

Ok, maybe you want to start with a few checkerboard dish cloths to get a handle on your pattern following. Grab some size 8 needles and cotton dish cloth yarn at Michael's or Joann (lily 'sugar n cream' is good for starting and has fun colors.) search ravelry.com for free patterns. If you don't want to use your cloths, mail them to the Broward Cooperative Feeding Program. They accept wash cloths for a showering program they run, and the clients who receive them really (really really) appreciate them. Each cloth gets packaged up with soap and is kept by the recipient.
posted by bilabial at 9:11 PM on January 7, 2012 [1 favorite]

Seconding trying crochet as an alternative to knitting, though I can finally say I like knitting after trying to teach myself at least four or five times. Don't know if you have the same problem but make sure your stitches are loose enough that they can slide around. It's not surprising that I hated knitting when it was like a wrestling match for me!
posted by brilliantine at 9:29 PM on January 7, 2012 [1 favorite]

Try doing logic puzzles, such as sudoku. It appears to use a totally different part of the brain.
posted by tacit_urn at 11:25 PM on January 7, 2012

Response by poster: You guys are great! I'm going to give knitting another go - ravelry.com is inspiring and I've marked a bunch of things as possibilities once I have the skills. Dishcloths sound like a good starter and I've grabbed a course from craftsy.com to get me started. Lace knitting sounds intriguing too.

Thanks to those that suggested jigsaw puzzles - I'd forgotten how much I enjoyed them. I might look at getting a couple of those impossipuzzles, like the baked beans one.

And the cleaning suggestions...that is certainly an area I could consider ;P Although not as much fun as crafty things, the back bedroom could do with some work!

Excellent suggestions all round, thank you all very much!
posted by eloeth-starr at 12:13 AM on January 8, 2012

I was folding paper stars for a long time. I should take up knitting again though.
posted by geek anachronism at 1:24 AM on January 8, 2012

Mowing the lawn. If you have a really big lawn and good headphones - or wear earmuffs and use earbuds. (I did an internship that involved a few hours of physically challenging weekly mowing and podcasts were great)

But it sounds unpleasantly hot where you are, so unless you're planning on mowing it at the crack of dawn or after sunset, or with a sprinkler on you at all times, this suggestion is for later in the summer.
posted by sciencegeek at 4:44 AM on January 8, 2012

I brush the cat. Get in the comfy chair, put the book so that both you and cat can hear it, and just settle down for a while. It's surprisingly not boring, as long as kitty is willing.
posted by anaelith at 9:10 AM on January 8, 2012

What about a stationary exercise bike? They don't have to cost much—you could probably find a used one on Craigslist, or some neighborhood selling resource such as a yard sale. It doesn't sound like you need an elaborate, computerized system, just something basic that works. You could keep it at home, because it doesn't take up that much space. I suggest looking at recumbent bikes; I find recumbent exercise bikes much more comfortable than upright bikes.
posted by StrawberryPie at 9:24 AM on January 8, 2012

I agree that cleaning and crafting are great ways to keep your hands busy while listening. Personally, I save my favorite podcasts to only listen to while I'm cleaning, as a personal incentive to get off my butt and neaten things up.

With regards to crafting, I know that you have enough chain maille jewelry for yourself, but could you make it for others or sell it? I'm kind of in the same situation with knitting, and I've taken up knitting sweaters for Knit for Kids. There are other similar donation projects. Many knitters I know gift most of their output.

With respect to selling, I know that you can almost never sell crafted items for enough to make a living off of it, but maybe you could make enough on your jewelry to offset supply costs and bring your crafting expenses down? That is, of course, if you really enjoy making it and would like an excuse.
posted by clerestory at 10:10 AM on January 8, 2012

Audiosurf is surprisingly fun with audio books, though I guess it's unproductive.
posted by Senza Volto at 11:53 AM on January 8, 2012

Nthing jigsaw puzzles. It's hard to get rid of them afterwards though - nobody wants them.

I also like simple computer games - bubble shooter is my current go-to while listening - it lasts a pretty long time per game and is challenging to win.
posted by bluesky78987 at 2:02 PM on January 8, 2012

Folding treadmill. Walk while listening to your audiobooks.
posted by devymetal at 3:20 PM on January 8, 2012

Once I knit my first pair of socks, and felt their warm, perfectly-fitting wooliness, I never went back. I knit a lot of socks now, and find that audiobooks are perfect.

Audiobooks are also the best way to get me to walk the dog for long enough that she's actually tired, or get any kind of aerobic exercise done.

I also listen to them while cleaning house, cooking, gardening, anything where I'm using my hands but don't actually need to think verbal thoughts to do it.
posted by linettasky at 4:42 PM on January 8, 2012

Needlepoint is simple (one stitch over and over again, you only have to mind the design/colours) and can be made into things besides pillows (bags, eyeglass cases, etc.).
posted by deborah at 8:24 PM on January 8, 2012

Nthing knitting, housework, and cooking. Things I don't normally do on my own accord, as a dude.
posted by Busoni at 9:15 AM on January 9, 2012

I like to play "Cookies Paint by Numbers 2" on the iPad. It's really paint by symbol. You choose the color from the palette, click on all the squares with that symbol, keep going and a picture emerges.
Not as virtuous as exercising or cleaning but good for relaxing and listening.
posted by Kazimirovna at 3:55 PM on February 29, 2012