The Art of Rest: How to Find Respite in the Modern Age

by Claudia Hammond

Overview

WATERSTONES BOOK OF THE MONTH

Shortlisted for the British Psychological Society Book Award for Popular Science

Much of value has been written about sleep, but rest is different; it is how we unwind, calm our minds and recharge our bodies. The Art of Rest draws on ground-breaking research Claudia Hammond collaborated on: 'The Rest Test', the largest global survey into rest ever undertaken, completed by 18,000 people across 135 different countries. The survey revealed how people get rest and how it is directly linked to your sense of wellbeing.

Counting down through the top ten activities which people find most restful, Hammond explains why rest matters, examines the science behind the results to establish what really works and offers a roadmap for a new, more restful and balanced life.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781786892829
Publisher:	Canongate Books
Publication date:	10/05/2021
Edition description:	Main
Pages:	304
Product dimensions:	5.08(w) x 7.80(h) x 0.67(d)

About the Author

Claudia Hammond is an award-winning writer and broadcaster and Visiting Professor in the Public Understanding of Psychology at the University of Sussex. As the presenter of All in the Mind she is BBC Radio 4's voice of psychology and mental health. She has been awarded the President's Medal from the British Academy, the British Psychological Society's Public Engagement & Media Award, Mind's Making a Difference Award and the British Neuroscience Association's Public Understanding of Neuroscience Award. She is the author of Emotional Rollercoaster, Mind over Money and Time Warped, winner of the British Psychological Society's Best Popular Science Book Award and the Aeon Transmission Award. @claudiahammond | claudiahammond.com

Table of Contents

A Call to Rest 1

10 Mindfulness 15

9 Watching TV 32

8 Daydreaming 52

7 A Nice Hot Bath 71

6 A Good Walk 89

5 Doing Nothing in Particular 113

4 Listening to Music 148

3 I Want to Be Alone 168

2 Spending Time in Nature 190

1 Reading 219

The Perfect Prescription for Rest 249

Acknowledgements 265

Notes 269

Editorial Reviews

Challenges our culture’s obsession with being constantly productive. Definitely one of my favourite reads this year

JIM KWIK

Intriguing, highly scientific but very approachable. So eye-opening and fascinating

MO GAWDAT

Claudia Hammond's superb book reminds us of a truth that's too often forgotten: that rest isn't just an indulgence, but an essential part of a life lived well

bestselling author of The 4 Pillar Plan - DR RANGAN CHATTERJEE

A soothing balm for a frazzled generation

author of A Brief History of Everyone Who Ever Lived - ADAM RUTHERFORD

A practical and inspiring book on the benefits of quality downtime and the secrets of how to unwind

Scotsman

The prolific and brilliant Claudia Hammond has done it again, this time with the science of how to make the most of our lives in work, rest and play

author of Extreme Medicine - KEVIN FONG

Fascinating, entertaining and lucidly written . . . If we accept that reading is the most restful activity . . . The Art of Rest ought to be equivalent to a scientific siesta. The only trouble is that this outstanding book is far too stimulating to be restful

Observer

A thoughtful and enlightening book, perfectly mixing anecdote and evidence

ROBIN INCE

Not only is The Art of Rest an enjoyable read, touching on scientific evidence in a light, accessible manner, it delivers on its promise too . . . Reading, according to Rest Test participants, is one of the best ways to rest. So if you want to change your 24/7 lifestyle, opening The Art of Rest may well be a good start

New Scientist

At a time when our waking lives appear to be more frantic and distracted than ever before, switching off has never been more of a challenge. The Art of Rest equips us with fresh research and information on how to rest more, and rest better, to get the most out of life. Reading it is a rest itself

Matt Haig

Hammond valiantly unearths some great nuggets . . . quirky humour and sunny enthusiasm kept me reading

Sunday Times

At a time when our waking lives appear to be more frantic and distracted than ever before, switching off has never been more of a challenge. The Art of Rest equips us with fresh research and information on how to rest more, and rest better, to get the most out of life. Reading it is a rest itself

MATT HAIG

A clarion call . . . It reminds us that in these frazzled times, rest is not an indulgence but an essential

Sunday Telegraph

Fascinating, entertaining, and lucidly written . . . If we accept that reading is the most restful activity . . . The Art of Rest ought to be equivalent to a scientific siesta. The only trouble is that this outstanding book is far too stimulating to be restful” Observer

“Claudia Hammond’s superb book reminds us of a truth that’s too often forgotten: that rest isn’t just an indulgence, but an essential part of a life lived well” DR RANGAN CHATTERJEE, author of The 4 Pillar Plan

“At a time when our waking lives appear to be more frantic and distracted than ever before, switching off has never been more of a challenge. The Art of Rest equips us with fresh research and information on how to rest more, and rest better, to get the most out of life. Reading it is a rest itself” MATT HAIG

“A soothing balm for a frazzled generation” ADAM RUTHERFORD

“Not only is The Art of Rest an enjoyable read, touching on scientific evidence in a light, accessible manner, it delivers on its promise too . . . Reading, according to Rest Test participants, is one of the best ways to rest. So if you want to change your 24/7 lifestyle, opening The Art of Rest may well be a good start” New Scientist

From the Publisher