The Brain at Rest
How the Art and Science of Doing Nothing Can Improve Your Life
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4.7 • 3 Ratings
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- $16.99
Publisher Description
From Joseph Jebelli, PhD, neuroscientist and author of In Pursuit of Memory, a groundbreaking exploration of the science of doing nothing and its benefits for the brain and body
We are constantly told to make the most of our time, to work harder, to stop procrastinating. But what if all that advice was wrong, and letting the brain rest, and the mind wander, could improve our lives? In The Brain at Rest, Dr. Joseph Jebelli shows readers the way to happier, healthier, and more balanced lives in a deeply researched and entertaining guide to combat overwork and burnout.
Through a blend of science, personal stories, and practical, actionable tips, Dr. Jebelli proves that the brain's "default network" turns itself on when we turn off the constant need to always do and achieve. By activating our default network through long walks, baths, and spending time in nature, we can all be more content, less stressed, and actually more productive.
Perfect for anyone feeling overwhelmed, burnt out, or hungry to achieve their goals in a healthy, sustainable way, The Brain at Rest is the definitive, science-backed guide to achieving contentment, creativity, and success by letting your brain decompress.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Rest can foster creativity, problem-solving skills, and empathy, according to this informative and approachable guide from neuroscientist Jebelli (In Pursuit of Memory). He explains how quieting the brain's executive network gives free rein to its default network, which is made up of neurons that "enables us to daydream, mind wander, think reflectively, and imagine the future." Resting is especially vital in today's culture of overproductivity, where overwork is degrading brain structures and leaving people stressed, exhausted, unfocused, and more vulnerable to health problems (one study Jebelli cites suggests that long working hours cause an estimated 745,000 deaths a year, a 29% jump from 2000). Readers can find relief with commonsense practices, like getting outside, sleeping enough, or taking naps (he also suggests more unique ways of taking breaks, from forest bathing in Japan to the Dutch practice of deliberate idleness called niksen). Cogent neuroscience buttresses the author's points, and his message gains particular resonance from his family's struggles with work-life balance. (Jebelli's father, an Iranian immigrant working as a computer programmer in Great Britain, had a mental breakdown after two decades of stress and burnout, was diagnosed with major depressive disorder, and never worked again.) Even the most devoted workaholics will be persuaded to take a breather.
