The Art of Rest

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 cover of The Art of Rest by Claudia Hammond

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.

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.

The Art of Rest is published by Canongate, and was Waterstone’s Book of the Month and a No. 1 bestseller on the Waterstones/Times chart.

The Art of Rest is included, along with books by Albert Camus, Michelle Obama, Atul Gawande, Naomi Klein and many other luminaries, in a publicly chosen list of books that could act as catalysts for change around the world.

The #imaginetheworld project is coordinated by the Hay Festival

Read more and see the full reading list here

Reviews

“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.” The Guardian

“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

“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. It gives pause for thought on how rest – a need many of us feel guilty about and consequently neglect – may be as important as sleep for well-being.” New Scientist

Further Reading

According to the Durham University survey, reading is the most restful activity for many people, so in this article for the BBC Science Focus magazine, Claudia discusses some of her own reading choices, and the books which have been most influential in her life.

Unsurprisingly perhaps, non-fiction works dominate her list.

A montage of Claudia's favourite books

The Art of Rest

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 cover of The Art of Rest by Claudia Hammond

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.

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.

The Art of Rest is published by Canongate, and was Waterstone’s Book of the Month and a No. 1 bestseller on the Waterstones/Times chart.

The Art of Rest is included, along with books by Albert Camus, Michelle Obama, Atul Gawande, Naomi Klein and many other luminaries, in a publicly chosen list of books that could act as catalysts for change around the world.

The #imaginetheworld project is coordinated by the Hay Festival

Read more and see the full reading list here

Reviews

“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.” The Guardian

“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

“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. It gives pause for thought on how rest – a need many of us feel guilty about and consequently neglect – may be as important as sleep for well-being.” New Scientist

Further Reading

According to the Durham University survey, reading is the most restful activity for many people, so in this article for the BBC Science Focus magazine, Claudia discusses some of her own reading choices, and the books which have been most influential in her life.

Unsurprisingly perhaps, non-fiction works dominate her list.

A montage of Claudia's favourite books

The Art of Rest

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 cover of The Art of Rest by Claudia Hammond

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.

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.

The Art of Rest is published by Canongate, and was Waterstone’s Book of the Month and a No. 1 bestseller on the Waterstones/Times chart.

The Art of Rest is included, along with books by Albert Camus, Michelle Obama, Atul Gawande, Naomi Klein and many other luminaries, in a publicly chosen list of books that could act as catalysts for change around the world.

The #imaginetheworld project is coordinated by the Hay Festival

Read more and see the full reading list here

Reviews

“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.” The Guardian

“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

“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. It gives pause for thought on how rest – a need many of us feel guilty about and consequently neglect – may be as important as sleep for well-being.” New Scientist

Further Reading

According to the Durham University survey, reading is the most restful activity for many people, so in this article for the BBC Science Focus magazine, Claudia discusses some of her own reading choices, and the books which have been most influential in her life.

Unsurprisingly perhaps, non-fiction works dominate her list.

A montage of Claudia's favourite books