Joseph Jebelli (How the Mind Changed) uses the latest neuroscience and his own personal experiences to show readers why rest is vital in The Brain at Rest. Jebelli begins with the story of his father's extreme burnout and finding himself on the same path, then sets out to learn why working less and resting more caused such a dramatic improvement to his health. He discovers that "rest is actually the key to human flourishing."
Chapter names include "Sleep on It," "Playology," and "The Science of Tree-Hugging." Jebelli brings readers on his journey through the many and varied types of rest. While not everybody can find a forest in which to bathe, parks, community gardens, or grassy backyards can do the trick. An hour or two of video games can also be good for the brain. He includes discussions with experts as well as his own experiences, enabling readers to enjoy thorough descriptions rather than mere bullet points.
Ideal for readers of Tricia Hersey's Rest Is Resistance and Jenny Odell's How to Do Nothing, The Brain at Rest tackles the neuroscience behind why humans need rest in an engaging and accessible way. Jebelli acknowledges that the concept of rest and the proposed ways to rest he describes are often at odds with Western ways of working and living, and he makes a case for societal shifts.
With old and new ideas, The Brain at Rest is a useful guide for readers looking to rest more and stress less. --Alyssa Parssinen, freelance reviewer and former bookseller