Mentally Stronger with Therapist Amy Morin 223 — How to Get the Deep Rest You Need for a Stronger, Clearer Mind with Dr. Therese Huston
Jun 23, 2025
Dr. Therese Huston, a cognitive scientist and psychologist, emphasizes the crucial role of deep rest for mental clarity and resilience. She explores the distinction between true rest and mere zoning out, revealing the brain's need for genuine downtime. Listeners learn practical techniques for incorporating restorative breaks into busy days, including breathing exercises and the benefits of yoga nidra. Huston highlights how nature enhances mental strength and counters burnout, making a compelling case for prioritizing rest as essential for overall well-being.
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Deep Rest Means Brain Disengagement
- Rest for the brain means disconnecting from planning and decision-making to truly relax the mind.
- Simply resting the body, like lying on the couch, doesn't equate to rest for the brain's prefrontal cortex.
Brain Stimulation Disrupts Sleep
- Constant prefrontal cortex activation without breaks raises cortisol and anxiety levels.
- This overactivity can prevent sleep by keeping the awake system hyper-vigilant instead of allowing sleep to take over.
Use Skewed Exhale Breathing
- Practice skewed exhale breathing: inhale 5 seconds, hold 2, exhale 7 to calm your body instantly.
- Use this discreet breathing in tense moments to reduce amygdala activity and lower stress.
