The anatomy of rest. 1/3.

Three part series in which presenter Claudia Hammond, in association with Wellcome, explores the concept of rest.

To begin, presenter Claudia Hammond discusses rest and restfulness with Professor Felicity Callard. Hammond and Dr Ayesha Nathoo discuss historical methods for relaxation. They then talk through an archived episode of Tomorrows World (BBC), in which Dr Chandra Patel explains her methods for teaching relaxation, including bio feedback. Hammond and Callard discuss how different therapies position rest and relaxation differently. They discuss Freud and Wolpes approaches to rest therapy. Hammond visits Mike Greany at the Victoria and Albert museum, where they discuss how rest is portrayed historically in literature, whilst observing The Bed of Ware. Greany discusses the interplay between rest and work, referencing Herman Melvilles Bartleby the Scrivener, Ivan Goncharovs Oblamov, and The Bible. Hammond and Callard move on to speak about productivity as the antithesis to rest. Musicians Antonia Barnett-McIntosh and Ilze Ikse talk about a piece they created for Wellcomes Hubbub entitled Breath, focussing on literal and theoretical concepts of rests and resting. Hammond visits poet James Wilkes at Wellcomes Reading Room. Wilkes recites a poem recalling his time spent in an anechoic chamber. Hammond and Callard talk about states of focus and distraction, and their relationship with rest. They move on to discuss the overlapping of restful and active states. Hammond visits poet Steven Fowler at a gym, to find out how physical exercise can promote rest. Fowler recites a poem about the subject.

2016.

1 CD (30 min) ; 12 cm

Originally broadcast on 13th September 2016 on BBC Radio 4.

Produced by Geraldine Fitzgerald.

Presented by Claudia Hammond.

BBC Radio 4.