About the Book
Want to increase your productivity, be more creative, and protect your health, all with zero effort? Discover the surprising science of the brain at rest in the inspiring new book from the critically acclaimed neuroscientist.
'Jebelli’s spotlighting of the cognitive benefits is supremely helpful… The Brain at Rest is inspiring and practical' Johanna Thomas-Corr, Sunday Times
'If you want to accomplish more, without any relaxation guilt, this book is for you' Chris Bailey, bestselling author of Hyperfocus and The Productivity Project
We are constantly told to make the most of our time: to stop procrastinating, to 'optimise' and be efficient with every precious hour.
But when we let our brains rest, and our minds wander, something magical happens: the brain’s ‘default network’ switches on, and we are able to think in completely new ways.
Drawing on groundbreaking new research, neuroscientist Dr Joseph Jebelli reveals the simple and easy steps to change your life for the better, including how:
· Napping and gentle exercise can enhance brain size
· Spending time in nature can boost creativity and problem-solving skills
· Silence fosters the growth of new brain cells
Blending science and personal stories with practical tips, The Brain At Rest is the life-changing guide to living a happier, healthier – and ironically, more productive – life.
Praise for The Brain at Rest:
'Addicted to work? Stop what you’re doing and read this book' Anna Lembke, bestselling author of Dopamine Nation
'A tonic for the frazzled mind' David Robson, author of The Expectation Effect
'This excellent book is precisely what we need to stop, reset, and rest' Johann Hari, bestselling author of Stolen Focus
'Offers practical, science-backed solutions for reclaiming your life' Nir Eyal, bestselling author of Hooked and Indistractible
'The most important part of your brain you've never heard of' Alex Soojung-Kim Pang, PhD, author of Work Less, Do More and Rest
‘A powerful, heartfelt manifesto for rest’ Dr Hannah Critchlow, author of Joined-Up Thinking
About the Author :
Dr Joseph Jebelli received a PhD in neuroscience from University College London, then worked as a postdoctoral research fellow at the University of Washington. He has written two books, How the Mind Changed and In Pursuit of Memory, which was shortlisted for the Royal Society Trivedi Science Book Prize and longlisted for the Wellcome Book Prize. He lives in London.
Review :
‘Jebelli’s spotlighting of the cognitive benefits is supremely helpful… The Brain at Rest is inspiring and practical and, I hope, signals a wider change in how we think about work.’
The Brain at Rest is a tonic for the frazzled mind. Joseph Jebelli makes a powerful argument for the importance of the brain’s downtime in living a happy, healthy and meaningful life. By doing less, we can achieve so much more – and this inspiring book shows us how.
This book is a much-needed pause button, offering practical, science-backed solutions for reclaiming your life from distraction and overwhelm – showing you that productivity and health can coexist in harmony.
In a stressed-out society where we think we should be constantly on the go, this excellent book is precisely what we need to stop, reset, and rest. I learned so much from it.
Addicted to work? Stop what you’re doing and read this book. By combining cutting edge science with compelling personal anecdotes, Jebelli weaves a fascinating tale of the virtues of the resting brain. He also reminds us that scrolling on our smartphones may feel like a break but is not in fact a break for our brains. Just one more reason to get off our phones, go outside, and let ourselves wander.
Joseph Jebelli’s The Brain at Rest introduces you to the most important part of your brain you've never heard of: the default network, a unique – and uniquely powerful – set of links between regions of the brain that switch on when we think about the past, imagine the future, and are faced with creative challenges. Unfortunately, modern life seems determined to push the default network to one side, but The Brain at Rest explains why things as simple as walks in the woods, a good night’s sleep, and simply people-watching at a cafe, can improve our happiness, keep our brains and bodies healthy, and help have more productive days.
A wonderfully written and much needed exploration of the art and science of doing nothing. The Brain at Rest is an accessible and enjoyable journey into the neuroscience of mind wandering, tree-hugging, and play.
This book is magic. It won't just refresh your mind, but also make you more productive – in both the short and long run. If you want to accomplish more, without any relaxation guilt, this book is for you. Practise what's in this book, and your mind will feel brand new.
A powerful, heartfelt manifesto for rest. Dr Jebelli brings together cutting-edge research on this important, and often overlooked, behaviour in our increasingly busy lives.
