Rest: Why You Get More Done When You Work Less

Arianna Huffington and I talk about REST at DLD17

“if you’re prone to burnout or still believe that overwork actually works, this book will set you straight.” (Arianna Huffington, Lifehacker)

“You’re holding some terrific advice in your hands on the virtues of walking, napping, and playing. Pang has written a delightful and thought-provoking book on the science of restful living.” (Clive Thompson, columnist for Wired magazine and author of Smarter Than You Think)

My new book Rest: Why You Get More Done When You Work Less is published by Basic Books in the United States, and Penguin Books in the UK (as part of their wonderful new Penguin Life series). The paperback edition, available in mid-2018, features a new foreword by Arianna Huffington.

You can buy Rest at your local bookstore, on , Barnes & Noble, and elsewhere.

Some very smart people like it:

“From reading this book, you will understand how rest helps you learn and create better.” (Ferran Adriá, father of molecular gastronomy)

“I found Rest an incredibly timely read – for this moment in history, but also, more personally, in my own increasingly rest-starved life. This might be the book to finally persuade us that downtime isn’t in conflict with good work; rather, it’s an essential ingredient of it.” (Oliver Burkeman, BBC4 presenter, Guardian contributor, and author of The Antidote)

“Good books are interesting and valuable; but the best books reframe the way you see the world, getting you thinking differently about everyday situations and assumptions. Rest does just that. With a fascinating combination of research and historical examples, your view of rest – as what you do when you are not working – is turned upside down. A thoroughly enjoyable, insightful and life-enhancing book. I’m off to go and practice my resting!” (Tony Crabbe, author of Busy)

“Finally, a full-throated, exhaustively researched argument for why we should all work less and rest more—not just because we’ll feel better (no small thing) but because we’ll actually be more creative and productive as a result.” (Mason Currey, author of Daily Rituals: How Artists Work)

“Finally, indisputable proof that to raise happy, healthy, and productive adults, parents and educators must teach the next generation how to practice intentional rest; … how to partner work with play, exercise, and sleep.” (Nanci Kauffman, head of Castilleja School, Palo Alto)

“In his important new book, Alex Pang takes head on the pernicious, yet sacred, cultural belief that the longer and harder we work, the more successful we’ll be. In Rest, Pang calmly and meticulously shows us how wrong we are. And how the best, most creative work, the most meaningful and joyful lives, are built on the skills, not of mindless busyness, but of deliberate rest, deep play, and taking time to think. A game changing book for the weary modern world.” (Brigid Schulte, Washington Post reporter and author of Overwhelmed)

“I love this book. Rest weaves fascinating research and captivating stories into a wise prescription for a healthier, more creative, and more fulfilling life in a technology saturated world. At heart, it is rest, in the many ways Pang describes, that contributes to our ability to be the best of what we can be.” (Linda Stone, former Apple and Microsoft Executive)

“Alex Pang wants us to treat work and rest as equals. In his fascinating, well-researched and highly readable new book Rest, he makes an excellent case for the critical importance of rest in our lives, drawing from the rest habits of some of our most famous scientists, writers and creatives from history, from neuroscience research as well as examples from some of the most productive people working today. You will consider how and why you rest in a completely new light after reading this book.” (Wendy Suzuki, professor of neural science and psychology, New York University, and author of Healthy Brain, Happy Life)

“It’s high noon for the global economy’s thinking class, who are locked in a losing battle for clarity in a crowded, clickable world. This book is a science-packed call to arms: it’s time to claim rest as a right and pay close attention to the needs of our beleaguered brains.” (Anthony Townsend, author of Smart Cities)

“Take a break and read Rest: you’ll make smarter decisions, have better relationships, and be happier and more creative.” (James Wallman, author of Stuffocation)