As regards staying "in the loop", keep doing things while the autopilot flies. Keep abreast of your nearest diversion should it all hit the fan; when does the next one become the nearest? Check weather regularly, keep an eye on the TCAS, keep an eye out for other aircraft, hell, do the crossword. Yes I know, all basic stuff, but I'm sure we know some pilots who just watch the magenta line scroll past. Autopilots are great at the repetitive stuff, but they're dumb. As a friend once said of his chess computer: "lots of logic, but no cunning and no wit".