A Brain That Breathes: Essential Habits for an Overwhelming World | What our brains really need to be happy, healthy and productive

by Jodi Wilson

Genres: Nonfiction, Audiobook, Health, Self Help, Mental Health

272 pages, Paperback

Published February 17, 2026

Reviews

[Jaclyn]

This book is a balm. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, inattentive and foggy, there are practical things you can do to declutter your mind and restore your attention span. And, joy of joys, one of those things is reading! And napping! My two favourite things. Dog walks are good, too! I am delighted to be launching this beautiful book in Melbourne at @readingsbooks on Feb 17. Let’s take some deep breaths together in community. Don’t miss it.

[Jemma · Rating 5 out of 5]

A balm of a book, particularly enjoyable as an audiobook. Thank you, Jodi, for reminding me to pause and be in the moment and my body.

[Anna Loder · Rating 5 out of 5]

So wise and yet so gentle, I loved the information delivered just as much as I did the tone and cover 💙 just a beautiful guide that speaks to breathing space for ourselves..a gorgeous read for now

[Jodie McLeod · Rating 3 out of 5]

“We come into stillness and quiet and know that it’s enough. We don’t need to label it self improvement or self care. We don’t need to apply effort. It can just be what it is - usually imperfect, most likely ordinary. Often most easily found at the beginning or end of the day when the light is soft and the world is too. Here, without any distractions, it is quiet, and there it is, in tiny glimpses, possibility. “

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was supposed to be an easy read about the intersection between neuroscience and mindfulness ('breathing space' as it's called in the book). Instead, I was met with profound, honest and inspirational depictions of a woman trying to find peace: with her mind, her body, her sacred space and most importantly, nature.
A Brain That Breathes really tells of the importance of nature, of the world as a teacher and reflector, advocate and mirror. It tells of lost connections and the truth about the separation of self through the lens of neuroscience.
A considered and powerful compilation on how to be, it had me in awe and what an absolute pleasure it was to read. Poetic, rich, inviting, practical, honest and freeing, this was an immediate 5 star read.

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is some good advice about making life calmer and helping us be calmer in the process. Sometimes a little long-winded.

[Rea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to this as an audiobook on the way to and from work. I adored this as an audiobook, it was an added layer of relaxation and brain breathing. Jodi’s voice is so perfect for this. Loved the vagus nerve section especially. As someone who works in allied health and discusses vagus nerve a lot, hit the nail on the head

I do believe I wouldn’t have loved this as much in a hard copy as some topics did waffle on a bit and have longer winded explanations than likely necessary, but in audiobook form that was honestly perfect as it made you sit with it and slow down

This type of book is right up my alley of what I like to consume, but if this isn’t your usual content I’d advise the audiobook over written form to aid consumption. I also believe where you are in your life will impact how much you like the book. I’m in a very busy season of work and in the chaos of planning a wedding and honeymoon, so this book is very well timed for me

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Jodi Wilson so much. I read her Substack articles religiously and her writing feels like a warm, gentle hug with insightful topics that make you pause and think about how you’re living your life. I couldn’t preorder this book fast enough and I was so excited to get it in my hands! Although heavily researched, a lot of what she talks about in this book are things I’ve already read, researched, or have general knowledge of so I wouldn’t say there was anything profound that I learned. However, I do like how she broke the book down and offered 5 quick things at the end of each chapter to consider. I like how she kept reiterating that it’s a slow process to rewire your brain and it’s important to take small steps to really create lasting change. Big changes and massive overhauls won’t necessarily provide the changes you’re hoping to see in your life - which I can attest to from my own life trying to do that multiple times and never creating sustainable change. I see this book being a wonderful reference over the years and something I can always come back to when I need the reminder to slow down and give my brain some space to breathe.

[Krystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

It came at the right time.

I stumbled on this book by accident. As I sat reeling from burnout but equally battling my ambition and my internal strive to always be better and more; this was the permission I needed to allow myself to just be. To sit in the in-between and know that there is purpose and meaning in the stillness. Thank you Jodi for guiding me on the beginning of my journey to find and allow more breathing space in my life.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this. As I love all of Jodi’s writing. She has that talent of writing so you can hear her gentle, affirming voice in your head. This book is a lovely piece of work, reminding us to slow down in this crazy world, and the importance of enjoying the simple pleasures. After all, they are what keeps us all sane :)

[Jessica Costello · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book a really needed to help me slow down and take the time to be more present. I intend to read this book each year as a reminder and have been recommending this to everyone!

[Lynda · Rating 1 out of 5]

It took me a long time to get through this book, largely because I was bored. I often found myself drifting off while listening to the audiobook on walks or in the car (ironically, apparently not how the author thinks we should be listening). I didn’t come across anything I hadn’t heard before; most of us are already well educated on these ideas.
The author frequently contradicts herself. For example, she warns us not to scroll social media because it’s full of lists telling us what we should be doing—yet then promotes her own weekly list of things we should do to help our brains “breathe,” and encourages us to follow her online. I found this frustrating and unconvincing.
Overall, I found both the author and the audiobook narration patronising, overly simplistic, and out of touch with the realities of modern life—especially for people who are compelled to live in cities and work simply to survive. There’s a strong sense of being lectured by someone who presents herself as the ideal example.
In this case, that “ideal” involves moving to a small coastal town in Tasmania (population density 7-8 people per square KM, compared to London over 5,500 people per square KM), becoming a self‑employed writer, sending children to school five days a week, waking up early (those self‑righteous morning people), and having ample time for oneself on a tiny island at the bottom of the globe. That’s just not realistic—or appealing—for many people, myself included.
This book has put me off self‑help titles written by authors who treat their own unusually privileged circumstances as universal solutions. Next time, I’ll be researching authors more carefully rather than trusting glowing reviews. That said, it may still feel fresh or helpful for someone else—just not for me.

[Aliesha C · Rating 4 out of 5]

As always I love Jodi’s writing and I truly feel like inspiration oozes out of every paragraph she writes. I didn’t love this book as much as her first, simply because I found it repeated itself a little. However maybe repetition is what our brains need in order to remember the juicy nuggets of wisdom Jodi graced us with.

[Courtney Stevens · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed it, it was therapeutic but it is alittle repetitive which I personally find alittle irritating but the habits recommended are very much needed for everyone I believe and it was refreshing to be reminded of the importance of (i know Jodie doesn't like this phase but) real selfcare, emphasizing the mental selfcare

[Kathryn Pattearson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve been reading Jodi’s words for over 15 years. They’re more magic every time. This book is all the things we need to hear and a good reminder of how to live happily, contentedly and without burnout. A pleasure.

[Allison Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful book! not too groundbreaking just a reminder of the basic fundamentals that human beings need to live an enjoyable life. movement & rest. I liked that it had some studies proving it self but was also an easy read.
very good, i hope to reread

[Lottie C · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️

Insightful self help book, very useful. Also obsessed with the cover

[Amy S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing… as Jodi’s writing always is. A simple reminder of how we can slow down life, in small snippets of time!

[Anna Davidson · Rating 5 out of 5]

An easy to read reminder about the importance of creating breathing space in an increasingly chaotic world.

[Meg Ewen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actionable steps and set in Tasmania which is always a bonus

[Kim Webb · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read , so well written - I enjoyed every page

[Anita Marshall · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good reminder for me to slow down and find quiet moments in my busy days. Enjoyed this

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well researched, actionable if a little repetitive. A book for our times.

[Stephanie Wescott · Rating 5 out of 5]

So soothing, so needed. Ancient wisdom in contemporary form.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful little takeaways and helpful reframes for me.

[Julieschreiner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably the best “self-help” book I’ve ever read!

[Joanne · Rating 1 out of 5]

Boring. More scenarios would be useful.

[Shelby Barrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book backed by science about how to slow down in this chaotic modern world. I love how it is backed by research, easy to read and apply.

[Maya Kukudzhanova · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book for everyone who is overwhelmed, burnt out and stressed. The book is about the importance of finding a quiet place to “breathe” in the chaos of day to day life.

[Annabelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

rare to find a wellness book i actually enjoy