The brain effort to listen to audiobooks is much less that the brain effort to read. The simple act of visions requires brain power to 'stitch' the two images together. Listening to audiobooks with eyes closed will give the brain more rest. Manual tasks/activities are good as the hands can not work faster that a recovering brain can tolerate. Learning to knit (two needles) or crochet (one needle) can be good. NFL football players uses knitting and crocheting to help relax the brain after a game.