The Art of Rest
How to Find Respite in the Modern Age
by Claudia Hammond
This title was previously available on NetGalley and is now archived.
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Pub Date Oct 20 2020 | Archive Date Oct 20 2020
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Description
Today busyness has become a badge of honour. We want to say we're busy, yet at the same time we feel exhausted. Instead, we should start taking rest seriously as a method of self-care and this book can help us to work out how.
The Art of Rest draws on ground-breaking research Claudia Hammond collaborated on—‘The Rest Test’: the largest global survey into rest ever undertaken, which was completed by 18,000 people across 135 different countries. Much of value has been written about sleep, but rest is different; it is how we unwind, calm our minds, and recharge our bodies. And, as the survey revealed, how much rest you get is directly linked to your sense of well-being.
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.
Advance Praise
'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, 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
'Hammond valiantly unearths some great nuggets . . . quirky humour and sunny enthusiasm kept me reading'
The Times
'A clarion call . . . It reminds us that in these frazzled times, rest is not an indulgence but an essential'
Sunday Telegraph
'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'
KEVIN FONG, author of Extreme Medicine
'A thoughtful and enlightening book, perfectly mixing anecdote and evidence'
ROBIN INCE
'[Hammond] helps guide readers who have been too guilty or anxious to make time for themselves to make a start in finding the best ways to switch off'
Herald
'Illuminating'
Sunday Express
'An absorbing exploration of how and why we rest . . . As reading was noted to be the most popular way to rest though, delving into The Art of Rest is an intriguing way to spend some downtime'
The Skinny
'[Hammond is] a champion for analytical and evidence-based thinking – and fortunately she has a great talent for making scientific and neurological studies easily accessible to the widest possible audience'
Happiful magazine
'Excellent'
Marie Claire
Available Editions
| EDITION | Hardcover |
| ISBN | 9781786892805 |
| PRICE | $26.00 (USD) |
| PAGES | 304 |
Featured Reviews
Deb G, Reviewer
4.5 restful, shiny stars, rounded up
Hammond’s book is a call to rest in our over busy world. To be healthier and more productive we need to both value rest and validate it. “Meaningful rest comes not from abandoning our busy lives but through making adjustments and achieving a better balance between work, rest and play.” With clear writing and details, Hammond summarizes the research on ten restful activities.
Some of the restful activities from scientific studies and polls are: mindfulness, watching TV, daydreaming, walking, listening to music. (Read the book to discover the others.) We probably do some of these things already, but Hammond’s organized writing, personalized style, and well researched, accessible findings make each ‘activity’ very clear. We do not need to feel guilty about daydreaming or watching TV. We need to be purposeful and balanced to live our best lives.
I am grateful to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. I will rest better after sinking into The Art of Rest. It is a useful well-written book that I will come back to. It would make a great gift for a friend or loved one who gets too wrapped up in busyness!
Odette L, Reviewer
Thanks for the advanced copy of this book. I look forward to putting some of this book into practice over the next few months.
Highly recommended
Susie F, Reviewer
Wow, this one was an eye opener for me. I have trouble relaxing and resting and thought I had got it right recently – I realise I couldn’t have got it more wrong after reading this book. This was a good read for me and one which I hope to put to good use with the idea’s in the book.
Thank you NetGalley for my complimentary copy in return for my honest review.
Saffy Y, Reviewer
Claudia Hammond calls this book a call to rest - she says we need to value and validate rest and it is a necessity for our lives. A survey which informs this book found that two thirds of respondents felt they were not getting enough rest, this book investigates the top 10 activities which those who took part in the survey considered restful. These activities include mindfulness, day dreaming and watching TV. Hammond looks at the importance of rest, the science behind rest and offers us a way to find balance in our lives.
I love Claudia Hammond's work on 'All in the Mind ' and I found this book to be equally accessible, practical, engaging and inspiring.. A recommended read.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a digital ARC.
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