How To Switch Off

How can we relax and switch off in today’s frantic world? What would a classic author’s version of mindfulness be?

How to Switch Off combines self-help and wise advice, bringing the best of classic wisdom to modern readers. Find out how to slow down and savor the moment according to our greatest writers and thinkers. From Aesop to Virginia Woolf, these bite-sized essays and extracts provide recommendations and advice for escaping burnout and seeing the world anew.

There are concrete steps to take: psychologist William James explains how to battle anxiety; Henry David Thoreau writes about the advantages of walking; Elizabeth von Arnim praises the importance of books and gardens.

How to Switch Off explores the art of resting, reflecting, and reconnecting. There are nuggets of actionable guidance on how to focus, from da Vinci’s recommendations to artists working on their painting skills to George Orwell’s perfect cup of tea.