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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
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Move! summary
Caroline Williams
The New Science of Body Movement and How it Can Set Your Mind Free
19 mins
Brief summary
Move! by Caroline Williams is a science-based book that explores the importance of moving our bodies. It reveals how inactivity harms us and offers practical tips to incorporate more movement into our daily lives, improving our physical and mental health.
Table of Contents
Move!
Summary of 6 key ideas
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Key idea 1 of 6
Humans have chosen the way of the sloth.
Have you ever wanted to trade places with a sloth? Notorious for doing almost nothing, these tree-dwelling mammals sleep for up to 20 hours a day and are relatively motionless when awake.
Pretty wild, right? Well . . . turns out humans don’t need to envy the sloth life – we’re already living it.
As a species, humans have reached new levels of laziness. Today, the average adult spends a staggering 70 percent of their life sitting or lying completely still. Think about that for a moment. If you lived to be 80 years old, only 24 of those years would have been spent moving. The other 56 years – more than 20,000 days – would have been spent on the couch or in bed.
This is the key message: Humans have chosen the way of the sloth.
The trend toward laziness doesn’t discriminate by age, either. Modern children spend up to half of their free time sitting around – and that’s before school time gets factored into the equation. On the other end of the spectrum, elderly people spend up to 80 percent of their waking days barely moving a muscle.
These numbers are scary – and they’re only getting worse. In fact, modern humans move around 30 percent less than their counterparts did in the 1960s.
At this point, you may be asking, What inspired this drastic shift in behavior? Look around, and the answer becomes self-evident. Did you spot a smartphone, television, or computer nearby? Those snazzy little devices are partly to blame for our overwhelmingly slothlike state.
Hungry for dinner? Instead of hunting bison like our hunter-gatherer ancestors did, you can get a burger hand-delivered with the click of a button. Seeking entertainment? Turn on the TV instead of trekking to an ancient amphitheater. Craving social interaction? Chat with people from around the world without leaving your house – or moving more than a finger.
There’s no denying that technology has transformed the world as we know it. But has the resulting shift in human behavior been for the better?
Science suggests not, as we’ll explore in the next blink.
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What is Move! about?
Move! (2021) is a step-by-step guide to setting your body – and mind – in motion. Drawing on recent exercise science research, it shares actionable tips for boosting creativity, improving mental health, and future-proofing your brain against the many effects of aging.
Move! Review
Move! (2021) by Caroline Williams is a thought-provoking exploration of the science and benefits of physical activity. Here's why this book is definitely worth reading:
- Packed with fascinating research and expert insights, it uncovers the multitude of ways exercise positively impacts our bodies and minds.
- Presenting practical strategies to incorporate movement into our daily lives, it empowers readers to prioritize their health and well-being.
- Through compelling anecdotes and relatable experiences, the book captures the joy and fulfillment that comes from being active, making it an engaging and uplifting read.
Who should read Move!?
- Aspiring exercisers who need some motivation to get moving
- Workout junkies looking to make the most of their fitness routines
- Anyone guilty of saying, “I’ll hit the gym . . . tomorrow”
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Book summaries like Move!
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Move! FAQs
What is the main message of Move!?
The main message of Move! is that physical activity is essential for our overall health and well-being.
How long does it take to read Move!?
The reading time for Move! varies depending on the reader, but it typically takes several hours. However, the Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is Move! a good book? Is it worth reading?
Move! is worth reading as it provides valuable insights and practical tips on incorporating movement into our lives for better physical and mental health.
Who is the author of Move!?
The author of Move! is Caroline Williams.
What to read after Move!?
If you're wondering what to read next after Move!, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- Cure by Jo Marchant
- Master Your Core by Bohdanna Zazulak
- Eat It! by Jordan Syatt and Michael Vacanti
- Spark by John J. Ratey & Eric Hagerman
- The Wim Hof Method by Wim Hof
- Clean by Alejandro Junger and Amely Greeven
- The Joy of Movement by Kelly McGonigal
- Body by Science by Doug McGuff
- 12 Rules For Life by Jordan B. Peterson
- The Life-Changing Power of Sophrology by Dominique Antiglio