THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLING WATERSTONES BOOK OF THE MONTH

We are constantly told to make the most of every precious moment - but when we let our brains rest and our minds wander, something magical happens...

'A tonic for the frazzled mind' David Robson, author of The Expectation Effect

In The Brain at Rest, Dr Joseph Jebelli shares the transformative neuroscience that shows why doing nothing will change your life for the better. Drawing on groundbreaking new research, you will learn how:

· Napping and gentle exercise can enhance brain size
· Spending time in nature can boost creativity
· Silence fosters the growth of new brain cells

If you want to achieve a happier, healthier and more balanced life, this is the book you need.

'The Brain at Rest is inspiring and practical' Johanna Thomas-Corr, Sunday Times

'Stop what you’re doing and read this book' Anna Lembke, bestselling author of Dopamine Nation

'This excellent book is precisely what we need to stop, reset, and rest' Johann Hari, bestselling author of Stolen Focus

'This book is magic' Chris Bailey, bestselling author of Hyperfocus and The Productivity Project

'Offers practical, science-backed solutions for reclaiming your life' Nir Eyal, bestselling author of Hooked and Indistractible

'The most important part of your brain you've never heard of' Alex Soojung-Kim Pang, PhD, author of Work Less, Do More and Rest

‘A powerful, heartfelt manifesto for rest’ Dr Hannah Critchlow, author of Joined-Up Thinking


* Waterstones Non-fiction Book of the Month, January 2026, #3 Sunday Times bestseller, paperback non-fiction, January 2026.

About the Author

Dr Joseph Jebelli received a PhD in neuroscience from University College London, then worked as a postdoctoral research fellow at the University of Washington.

He has written two books, How the Mind Changed and In Pursuit of Memory, which was shortlisted for the Royal Society Trivedi Science Book Prize and longlisted for the Wellcome Book Prize. He lives in London.