Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 7,500+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.
Get started
Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
Embrace Discomfort to Reclaim Your Wild, Happy, Healthy Self
'The Comfort Crisis' by Michael Easter is a thought-provoking book exploring how modern comforts are reducing our resilience, and how stepping out of our comfort zones can lead to greater physical, mental and emotional wellbeing.
Every morning, the author woke up in his soft, comfortable bed. He drove to work, where he spent the day sitting in an ergonomic office chair. The second he felt bored, he reached for his smartphone. He spent evenings binge-watching TV on a plush couch while snacking on junk food. Even his exercise routine was comfortable – working out in an air-conditioned gym.
In a way, life was good. He’d worked hard and overcome an addiction to alcohol in order to attain such a peaceful, comfortable lifestyle. But one day he asked himself, What would happen if I got rid of all these comforts?
This is the key message: Modern life is comfortable, but it’s not making us happy.
For thousands of years, everyday life was a challenge – a fight for survival. Our distant ancestors spent almost every waking moment on the move, searching for food and shelter. It wasn’t until relatively recently in human history that the average person began to enjoy the comforts we now take for granted, like a steady food supply.
Our lives are undeniably easier now, but comfort doesn’t equal happiness. In fact, it seems that many people are more stressed and depressed than ever. The physical struggles of survival have been replaced by mental challenges, like rising levels of anxiety and occupational burnout. Efforts to numb ourselves with food, alcohol, and screens just increase our sense of dissatisfaction.
Although humans are hardwired to seek comfort, it’s not necessarily good for us. Some anthropologists have speculated that we were actually happier thousands of years ago. Our needs were simpler and easier to satisfy, and we were naturally mindful, living in the moment.
After reflecting on his ultra comfortable life, the author decided it was time to experience discomfort. He set himself the challenge of a month-long hunting trip in the Alaskan wilderness, sleeping in a tent. All the comforts of modern life would be stripped away.
This trip was a transformative experience for him. After just a few days he already felt calmer, fitter, and more in tune with the natural world.
Camping in Arctic Alaska may not be your idea of a vacation. But as you’ll discover in the next blinks, there are many other, simpler ways to transform your life through discomfort.
The Comfort Crisis (2021) offers a cure for the physical and mental health problems of modern-day life. It’s all about getting comfortable with discomfort, which can mean anything from roughing it in the wilderness to contemplating death.
The Comfort Crisis (2021) explores the detrimental effects of our modern comfort-oriented lifestyles and offers ways to break free from this cycle. Here's why this book is worth reading:
It's highly addictive to get core insights on personally relevant topics without repetition or triviality. Added to that the apps ability to suggest kindred interests opens up a foundation of knowledge.
Great app. Good selection of book summaries you can read or listen to while commuting. Instead of scrolling through your social media news feed, this is a much better way to spend your spare time in my opinion.
Life changing. The concept of being able to grasp a book's main point in such a short time truly opens multiple opportunities to grow every area of your life at a faster rate.
Great app. Addicting. Perfect for wait times, morning coffee, evening before bed. Extremely well written, thorough, easy to use.
Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 7,500+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.
Get startedBlink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
What is the main message of The Comfort Crisis?
The main message of The Comfort Crisis is to embrace discomfort and seek new challenges.
How long does it take to read The Comfort Crisis?
The reading time for The Comfort Crisis varies but can be finished in a few hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is The Comfort Crisis a good book? Is it worth reading?
The Comfort Crisis is worth reading as it provides eye-opening insights on the importance of embracing discomfort for personal growth.
Who is the author of The Comfort Crisis?
The author of The Comfort Crisis is Michael Easter.