Body Electric

The Hidden Health Costs of the Digital Age and New Science to Reclaim Your Well-Being

De: Manoush Zomorodi, PhD Keith Diaz

Narrado por: PhD Keith Diaz, Manoush Zomorodi

From the award-winning journalist and NPR TED Radio Hour host comes a timely investigation into how screens and sitting are reshaping our bodies—and how a simple shift can change everything. This program is read by the author.

"In this spirited exploration of our relationship with technological devices, [author and narrator Manoush] Zomorodi's melodic voice beckons and inspires listeners to develop a deeper understanding of how tech devices affect our potential. " —Kirkus Reviews on Bored and Brilliant (Earphones Award winner)

In today’s world, a normal day means sitting in front of a screen for eight to ten hours. Meeting after meeting. Email after email. We leave our desks drained, overstimulated and unfocused, only to go home, sit down again, and scroll some more. The result? Headaches, back pain, restless sleep, and rising rates of preventable disease.

We know technology is breaking us down—so why can’t we break away? It’s a question that Manoush Zomorodi has always wanted to answer. As the host of the NPR's TED Radio Hour and Body Electric podcast, she has interviewed experts, conducted citizen experiments, and sought out research about how our digital lives are changing the way we think, learn, and feel.

Now, in Body Electric, she presents an eye-opening investigation into the impact technology and sedentary living has had on our bodies and brains, from breath and eyesight to blood pressure, posture, and productivity, and shares what science (and tens of thousands of participants in a groundbreaking study with Columbia University Medical Center) have taught her—it’s the small shifts, not the digital detoxes, that will make us healthier. And all we need is five minutes.

Filled with perspective-shifting data and real-life applications and tools, Body Electric is the next must-listen for fans of Four Thousand Weeks and The Anxious Generation, and anyone else feeling trapped by their technology.

A Macmillan Audio production from Flatiron Books

Reseñas de la Crítica

"A wonderfully inspiring and intensely practical exploration of how technology took us out of our bodies, and how we can learn to inhabit them again -- thereby transforming not only our physical health, but our creativity, productivity, relationships, and the state of our souls."
—Oliver Burkeman, New York Times bestselling author of Meditations for Mortals and Four Thousand Weeks

“Manoush Zomorodi explains with clarity and wit how our tech-filled lives are draining our energy and offers actionable advice for strategic disconnection—without forcing you to give up your phone or TV time. Body Electric will help you reclaim focus, health, and attention at work, at home, and even with your kids. Engaging and essential reading for the digital age!”
—Dan Harris, New York Times bestselling author and host of the 10% Happier podcast

"Body Electric is a hard book to put down. (But you’ll learn soon you must, even for a few minutes.) Packed with eye-opening research on the life-changing benefits of moving our bodies, and a raft of practical tactics to get us going, it’s a compelling, necessary and hopeful read for our busy, burned out, overwhelming and tech-addicted times. This book will make you want to move!"
—Brigid Schulte, New York Times bestselling author of Over Work and director of The Better Life Lab at New America

"Body Electric not only brilliantly unpacks the silent toll our screens are taking on our minds and bodies but also offers a science-backed path toward reclaiming our well-being. This book is essential reading for anyone who wants to build a healthier, more intentional relationship with technology."
—Laurie Santos, Professor of Psychology at Yale University and host of The Happiness Lab podcast

"We don't have to sacrifice our health to live as digital citizens. Body Electric encourages us to use bodily health as a first step to demanding a digital life that respects our psychological, relational, and personal health. It's a call to reclaim more than our health—it's a call to reclaim our agency."
—Shelly Turkle, New York Times bestselling author of Reclaiming Conversation and founding director of the MIT Initiative on Technology and Self

Thorough discussion of importance to keep moving and avoid too much audio and screen time.

The audiobook was Evidence based and inspiring. I would like more personal stories and followup of outcomes.

Good for the most part

This is one of those books with a simple concept (every 30 minutes, walk 5 minutes) that gets padded to a full book, but does so with interesting information related to various aspects of maintaining our health in a world of screens.
This book is more accurate than most nonfiction books. I especially appreciate where the authors overturn common misconceptions (it's not the blue light from your phones hurting your sleep; "blue zone" longevity claims are overstated).
However, I do have concerns. The driving principle of this book, the major claim, is based upon a loose study where a bunch of people opted into the treatment group and self-reported on how they felt. The self-selecting treatment group may not be representative of the broader population, and this is a study highly susceptible to the placebo effect. People are likely to feel better when they do this experiment because they anticipate feeling better - especially after a podcast series primed them for that. Additionally, the authors seem to suggest that people have used these movement breaks to cure diabetes (drop from "diabetic" to "prediabetic" levels). I'm not a doctor, but I find that claim dubious. The benefits of movement are presented as gospel without any of these caveats.

Great Science Communication

I really appreciated how well the author broke down and communicated the science described in this book. I really enjoyed the communication style and storytelling as well.

Great book very motivating

Who is awesome we all know it’s nice to get a reminder. Hopefully we can implement some of this stuff.

excellent story telling based on research

The story telling enabled me to better absorb the information. Appreciated the practical and doable action steps.