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

Brought to you by Penguin.

I got my fair share of surprise and scepticism when I told people I was writing a book about doing nothing. The idea seemed to defy gravity. It was too radical. Too impractical. Some laughed it off as a luxury, while others nodded along perfunctorily. But as I shared the 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, the brain’s ’default network’ switches on, 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.

© Joseph Jebelli 2025 (P) Penguin Audio 2025