Self Publishing Titans
The Comfort Crisis: Embrace Discomfort To Reclaim Your Wild, Happy, Healthy Self
by Michael Easter
Published
May 11, 2021
Pages
320 pages
Language
English
Publisher
Rodale Books
Available Formats & Prices
View on AmazonKindle
$14.99
Hardcover
$17.59
Audiobook
$0.00
Audio CD
Not found
About This Book
Discover the evolutionary mind and body benefits of living at the edges of your comfort zone and reconnecting with the wild—from the New York Times bestselling author of Scarcity Brain . “If you’ve been looking for something different to level up your health, fitness, and personal growth, this is it .”—Melissa Urban, Whole30 CEO and author of The Book of Boundaries “Michael Easter’s genius is that he puts data around the edges of what we intuitively believe. His work has inspired many to change their lives for the better.”—Dr.
Peter Attia, author of Outlive In many ways, we’re more comfortable than ever before. But could our sheltered, temperature-controlled, overfed, underchallenged lives actually be the leading cause of many our most urgent physical and mental health issues? In this gripping investigation, award-winning journalist Michael Easter seeks out off-the-grid visionaries, disruptive genius researchers, and mind-body conditioning trailblazers who are unlocking the life-enhancing secrets of a counterintuitive solution: discomfort.
Easter’s journey to understand our evolutionary need to be challenged takes him to meet the NBA’s top exercise scientist, who uses an ancient Japanese practice to build championship athletes; to the mystical country of Bhutan, where an Oxford economist and Buddhist leader are showing the world what death can teach us about happiness; to the outdoor lab of a young neuroscientist who’s found that nature tests our physical and mental endurance in ways that expand creativity while taming burnout and anxiety; to the remote Alaskan backcountry on a demanding thirty-three-day hunting expedition to experience the rewilding secrets of one of the last rugged places on Earth; and more. Along the way, Easter uncovers a blueprint for leveraging the power of discomfort that will dramatically improve our health and happiness, and perhaps even help us understand what it means to be human. The Comfort Crisis is a bold call to break out of your comfort zone and explore the wild within yourself.
Introduction
In a world that often prioritizes ease and comfort, 'The Comfort Crisis' is a revolutionary invitation to counteract the norms and challenge ourselves beyond the familiar. This book boldly explores the benefits of embracing discomfort, arguing that a purposeful and invigorated life lies outside our comfort zones. Through research and personal journey, the author offers insights and practical steps to reclaim a more vibrant and authentic existence.
Key Takeaways
Facing discomfort can lead to tremendous personal growth and increased resilience. A life led in perpetual comfort may prevent realizing your true potential. Meaningful life change involves challenging self-imposed limitations and embracing discomfort.
Detailed Description
In 'The Comfort Crisis the reader is taken on a transformative journey where the author delves into the science and psychology behind our obsession with comfort. Modern lifestyles have conditioned us to avoid discomfort at all costs yet this book reveals how embracing it can lead to extraordinary benefits. Learn how pushing the boundaries of our comfort zone can sharpen the body and mind fostering growth and resilience.
The book combines personal anecdotes with scientific research to demonstrate how embracing challenges can enrich our lives in unimaginable ways. As the narrative unfolds we are introduced to a variety of individuals who have overcome economic physical and emotional hardships by stepping into discomfort. Their stories serve as inspiration and proof that living a fulfilled and authentic life is indeed possible when we courageously move beyond what is familiar.
With each chapter practical strategies are shared encouraging readers to gradually introduce discomfort into their daily routines. The book offers guidance on how to identify and confront self-imposed limitations using discomfort as a tool for personal evolution.
Standout Features
The blend of personal stories and scientific research gives 'The Comfort Crisis' a unique authenticity making the concepts relatable and enlightening Its actionable insights empower readers to integrate the principles of discomfort into daily routines and transform ordinary lives into extraordinary adventures The engaging narrative encourages readers to redefine success focusing on resilience and growth instead of comfort and convenience.
Book Details
0593138767
978-0593138762
6.42 x 1.04 x 9.4 inches
2.31 pounds
Specifications
Rating
Based on 6719 ratings
Customer Reviews
Great writing on a subject I wanted more clarity on.
Nature is the antidote to my comfort sanitized lifestyle. Great book!
A good mix of true event story-telling and deep research.
Well done, Michael. I love the many stories you tell in the book, especially the throughline story! It's epic and well-told! I immediately bought your other book and look forward to listening to it while I continue to train for a 100-mile race in the North Georgia mountains.
We all need these lessons today
The Comfort Crisis is a well-crafted and very interesting story woven tidily with the author’s research and interviews about how the easy lives we’ve created for ourselves are not serving us well. It’s a nice combo of being both informative and entertaining. I’ve been inspired to challenge myself more, and that’s a good thing! Highly recommend!
Good read
I enjoyed this book. Lots of great ideas and sound advice.
Incredible Book
This book not only serves as a useful tool to return our kinds to the ways of the earth and of voluntary hard work and struggle, it does so with great stories of people and cultures around the world that have not forgotten the old ways of humankind. One of my favorite non-fiction books of all time.
refreshingly introspective
This book left an impression on me. I was expecting more research, but this is really the story of a guy who hunted caribou during a harrowing stint in the Alaskan tundra. The narrator sprinkles this journey with some science supporting each of his arguments, but it’s really the hunt itself that makes the book stand out. He braves the frigid cold, vicious animals, and grueling physical demands in search of something meaningful. There are scenic views and limitless introspection. I was left with a lot to chew on. Is humanity too comfortable? Is that part of what ails us? Or is it just that nature has healing properties? Was it necessary for this guy to suffer so much in the wilderness to find peace in his everyday life? Are there options less extreme than this one? I was persuaded to consider my own life and whether there were areas that might be holding me back, out of fear of discomfort. At one point the author mentions the naturalistic fallacy – the assumption that because something is natural, it is good. Yet he spends much of the book arguing that because our ancestors couldn’t get comfortable sleeping on the hard ground, or were frequently hungry, we’re missing something. This seemed self-contradictory to me. Our ancestors lived brutal lives and died young. I also thought his ham-fisted attempt to solve a problem as complex as obesity a significant overreach. Especially because he’s not really drawing on a lot of science. He talked to one researcher about this subject and concluded, “We need to get used to being hungry.” Surely that’s one piece of it, but there are people who have been studying this subject for decades who have a lot more to say. One great thing I got out of this book was learning about the company GORUCK and the movement for rucking. It makes sense that hauling heavy weight on your back while walking around leads to great fitness gains. I have been inspired to get my own equipment and make a go of it. I guess the ultimate impact this book had for me was to affirm myself to keep doing what I’m doing, which is experiment with all-weather outdoor fitness. I’m never going to the Alaskan tundra, but surely I can go for a run in the cold.
Great read to get you off the couch!
Really good story, with a lot of background information. Really makes you think about your lifestyle
unbelievably interesting and entertaining
I’m a new fan! Mr. Easter is an excellent writer who entertains, informs and inspires all at the same time. I felt like this book was written just for me. I’m reading this one again.
