Claudia Hammond, an award-winning broadcaster and psychology lecturer, dives into the crucial need for rest in our busy lives. She defines what true rest is and discusses the health risks of fatigue. Claudia reveals why guilt-free relaxation is essential and how even activities like watching TV can be restorative in moderation. She emphasizes that breaks boost productivity and cognitive function, sharing practical ways to incorporate restful activities into our hectic schedules, including daydreaming and gentle movement.
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Busyness as Status Symbol
Busyness has become a badge of honor and proxy for success in modern society.
This contrasts with the past, where leisure was a status symbol showing wealth and freedom from work.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Dan Harris Rested Watching TV
Dan Harris felt completely drained at 5 PM but chose to watch TV, which helped him rest.
He had some guilt but ultimately felt rested and able to sleep well after TV time.
insights INSIGHT
Restful Solitude vs Socializing
Many people find resting alone more restorative than socializing, even extroverts.
Socializing requires constant attention and is mentally taxing, making solitude important for true rest.
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In 'The Art of Rest', Claudia Hammond draws on the groundbreaking 'Rest Test' survey, which involved 18,000 people across 135 countries. The book distinguishes rest from sleep, highlighting how rest is essential for unwinding, calming the mind, and recharging the body. Hammond counts down the top ten activities people find most restful, examines the science behind these activities, and offers a roadmap for a more restful and balanced life. The book addresses common misconceptions about rest and provides practical advice on incorporating rest into daily life to improve overall well-being.
A roadmap for a more balanced life.
Claudia Hammond is an award-winning broadcaster, author, and psychology lecturer. In her work she shares the ways that psychological and medical research can help us in our everyday lives, whether through radio, TV, podcasts, public events or books.
This episode is part of our ongoing Get Fit Sanely series.
In this episode we talk about:
How to define rest
The health risks of fatigue
Why your rest is more effective if you don’t feel guilty about it
Why watching TV is so restful (in moderation)
Why taking breaks shouldn’t be considered a reward
How to create your own personal prescription for rest
Why a "resting state" for the brain is actually quite active
The restful act of daydreaming (when it doesn’t lead to ruminating)
Heat therapies for reduced cortisol levels
Why some forms of movement and exercise can be restful
The #1 most restful activity based on her research
And practical advice for incorporating more rest into your busy life
Paid subscribers of DanHarris.com will have exclusive access to a set of all-new guided meditations, led by friend of the show Cara Lai, customized to accompany each episode of the Get Fit Sanely series. We're super excited to offer a way to help you put the ideas from the episodes into practice. Learn all about it here.
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