Available as Paperback, eBook, Downloadable audio
Drawing on brand new research, this is an examination of rest and why it matters from Radio 4’s voice of psychology
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.
“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
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“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
bestselling 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
author Of A Brief History Of Everyone Who Ever Lived
“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
Claudia Hammond
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
“This fascinating, entertaining and lucidly written book should be read by anyone ready to confess that rest is not their forte. We start to see that the subject is complicated partly because most of us are no good at resting. We are restless about rest. We feel guilty about it. We live in a culture obsessed with being busy – and this boasting about being busy is, Hammond argues, caught up with status.”
The Guardian review Claudia Hammond’s The Art of Rest.
Kate Kellaway
Guardian