Permission to Rest

A radical invitation to disengage from our devices, acknowledge the beliefs and systems that keep us running on empty, and tend to our fundamental human need for renewal, from the author of How to Breathe. In a culture that constantly tells us to do more of everything, including nothing, Permission to Rest is a passionate cry for a more regulated, resourced, and rested life. Wellness expert Ashley Neese combines personal essays, contemplative questions, scientific research, and somatic practices to help readers disrupt the trance of urgency, reflect inward, and rest deeply. Neese invites in readers who are ready to question their beliefs around rest and offers support around the very real challenges of shame, guilt, and discomfort that often arise when we attempt to slow down. Neese presents a series of body-focused rest practices for those who are experiencing burnout, such as Self-Acupressure for Relaxation and Gentle Psoas Release. She addresses common roadblocks when beginning a rest practice, the incredible health benefits of prioritizing rest, and a number of holistic resources for developing a sustainable relationship to rest. Permission to Rest is both a timely manifesto and compassionate call to action. In her signature warm, grounding, and authoritative style, Neese invites each reader to pause, look inward, learn to feel their own rhythms, and value rest as a deeply healing, empowering, and spiritual practice. This book is a reminder that we have the power to transform our lives from the inside out.