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Joseph Jebelli

The Brain at Rest: Why Doing Nothing Can Change Your Life

Hay Festival 2025, 

Doing nothing is seen as one of the ultimate wastes of time. But what if doing nothing can actually help us be happier, healthier and more successful? Dr Joseph Jebelli blends science and personal stories to reveal how neuroscience is solving the mystery of the brain at rest, with profound implications for intelligence, creativity and even life expectancy.

Advocating breaking the taboo around rest, Jebelli looks at how things like long baths, walks in nature, meditation and simple daydreaming are key to a more productive life. Jebelli holds a PhD in neuroscience from University College London. His books include In Pursuit of Memory, which was shortlisted for the Royal Society Trivedi Science Book Prize.