Lounging beside the pool on vacation is one of life’s most rewarding experiences. After all that hard work, you’re finally able to let everything go and relax.
Even so, you don’t always want to burn to a crisp in the sun. It’s good to entertain yourself from time to time, especially if you have nothing planned.
So what should you do on vacation while lounging beside the pool? Let’s take a look at some ideas.
Read Something You’ve Always Wanted To Read
Reading by the pool is something people have been doing on vacation since there were overseas pools to go to. Peeling through a good book helps you get lost in the moment and enjoy your surroundings.
But don’t just take any old trash with you. Find something you’ve always wanted to read and enjoy in the relaxing poolside environment. For some, that’s War and Peace, for others, it’s much lighter.
You could also use the time to learn more about a hobby you enjoy. But if you’re on vacation, be careful: you don’t want pool-side relaxation to turn into more work.
Work On Your Tan
You could also spend lounging time beside the pool working on your tan but don’t take it too far. Skin will often react to regular sunlight by producing more melanin, so you can still wear sunscreen to protect you against the most damaging UV rays.
You can also tan from mid-afternoon instead of staying out in the sunshine in the middle of the day. In the evening, the intensity is much lower, but your body should still adopt a healthy bronze glow.
Try Stretching
Failing all else, you could also try elongating some of your muscles and getting a little movement into your joints when relaxing by the pool. Moving around isn’t lounging, but it can make extended sessions more enjoyable and restorative.
Try bending over and touching your toes a few times before hopping back on your lounger for another 45 minutes. You could also do a couple of yoga poses (if you feel comfortable with that). These can ease tired joints and help you make the most of your time away from the office.
If stretching isn’t your thing, then that’s fine.
Play Some Games
Another option is to play some games while relaxing by the pool. Enjoying a few rounds of your favorite titles reminds you that you’re on vacation and can afford to relax.
Game-playing takes all sorts of forms, but it depends on what you play. For some, the ultimate way to spend a vacation is playing Spider Solitaire on a tablet and trying to beat the timer. For others, it’s Mario Kart or Counter-Strike.
You can also try playing games against other people online if you have a competitive streak. If you feel well-rested, you might be able to put in a personal best and beat people who would have creamed you in the past.
These days, there are all sorts of ways you can play games on the move. You can use dedicated handheld consoles or smartphones (if they are powerful enough). Better yet, use waterproof equipment. This way, it doesn’t matter if it gets covered in splashes from the pool.
Talk To The Guests Lounging Next To You
If you’re on a package holiday or at a private hotel, you might not be the only person using the pool. But don’t view this as something bad. Instead, use it as an opportunity to get to know more guests. Having a chat with someone while you work on your tan is a great way to pass the time and make new friends.
If you struggle with this, practice some conversation starters. Use your pool time as an opportunity to brush up on your social skills. Vacations are often the best time to meet new people because everyone’s far from home and relatively alone (unlike in their hometowns).
Try to cook up interesting topics of conversation for people to enjoy, but don’t make it seem forced. Talk about subjects that interest them and find ways to be of value to others by asking plenty of questions.
Listen To A Podcast
If you’re feeling learned, you could also listen to a podcast on a topic of your choice. These can go on for hours, providing plenty of material to consume while you lounge around.
Choose something topical that interests you right now. Look for podcasters offering interviews, monologues, and round table discussions on matters affecting you personally.
Podcasts can also be a low-key way to give yourself an education. Listening to them in full introduces you to new topics and helps you get your head around complex issues. When you’re relaxed, it’s actually more likely to go into your brain and you may remember it better because of the associations you have with it and going on vacation.
Do Some Coloring
You could also try your hand at some coloring or drawing. Whipping out pencils and crayons can help your artistic side flourish.
Sometimes coloring and drawing can be an excellent way to add to your travel journal. Instead of just writing about where you’ve been, you can also create drawings of the locations and add artistic elements to celebrate them and bring them to life.
If you’re not a big fan of coloring or art, you could also try completing a crossword. Doing a local one in a foreign language will be even more stimulating.
Try Poolside Refreshments
Of course, the ultimate way to spend time lounging by the pool on vacation is to sample the poolside refreshments. These can help you feel even better. There’s nothing like a cold drink on a hot summer’s day.
Some hotels will offer cocktails throughout the day, while others cater to a health-conscious smoothie market. You can also find places that do both, allowing you to enjoy poolside lounging at breakfast or after dark once you return from the day’s activities.
So there you have it: some of the things you can do while lounging beside the pool on vacation. Which will you choose?
Tammy Litke is a Dallas blogger, blogging since 2008. She loves to watch movies, play video games, spend time in the kitchen, and travel. Between recipes and reviews you’ll find many helpful and some just plain funny posts on her blog. Welcome, pull up a chair and stay for a while!