The Brain at Rest - Why doing nothing can change your life

I''d got a fair share of surprise and scepticism when I told people I was writing a book about the brain at rest. The idea seemed to defy gravity. It was too radical. Too impractical. Some would laugh it off as a luxury while others would nod along perfunctorily. But as I shared the profound scientific benefits of intentional rest, the resistance often gave way to curiosity, sometimes even relief. When was the last time you let yourself do nothing - not scrolling while eating a sandwich, but nothing at all ? We are constantly told to make the most of our time. Stop procrastinating. Don''t sleep more than 7.5 hours a night. Optimise. To be happy, creative and successful requires discipline and focus. The most important thing is to be efficient with every precious hour. But when we let our minds wander, something magical happens: blood flow to the brain increases by 90 per cent, and suddenly we are able to think in completely new ways. Dr Joseph Jebelli reveals how neuroscience is solving the mystery of the brain at rest, with profound implications for intelligence, creativity and even life expectancy. If we dare to break the taboo surrounding rest, we will find that long baths, walks in nature, meditation and simple daydreaming are the key to a happier, healthier - and ironically, more productive - life.

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.

Product details

• Authors: Joseph Jebelli, Joseph (Dr.) Jebelli, Jebelli Joseph
• Publisher: Random House Uk
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 19.06.2025
• EAN: 9781911709343
• ISBN: 978-1-911709-34-3
• No. of pages: 256
• Dimensions: 153 mm x 234 mm x 20 mm
• Subjects: Guides > Self-help, everyday life > Lifestyle, personal development; SELF-HELP / Personal Growth / Success, SCIENCE / Life Sciences / Neuroscience, SELF-HELP / Creativity, PSYCHOLOGY / Mental Health, Popular psychology, Cognition & cognitive psychology, Coping with illness & specific conditions, Neurosciences, Cognition and cognitive psychology, Cognitive and behavioural neuroscience, Cognitive Science, HEALTH & FITNESS / Mental Health, Coping with / advice about mental health issues