By Angelica Ribeiro, PhD

Recently, I spent about an hour doing nothing in particular. My husband and I sat outdoors; while he read, I stared at the sky. Surprisingly, even though I had two writing projects due soon, I didn’t feel guilty about taking the time to rest. Why?

Many writers, myself included, often overlook the importance of rest. We may view it as a waste of time or a reward we deserve only after completing a project. However, Claudia Hammond, author of The Art of Rest, argues that rest is essential and should be taken seriously.