The Joy of Laziness: Why Life Is Better Slower and How to Get There

by Michaela Axt, Peter Axt, Michaela Axt-Gadermann, et al.

Book Overview

Drawing on both scientific and anecdotal sources, the authors of The Joy of Laziness argue that the much-admired Type A lifestyle of intense exercise, frantic activity, and overwork is detrimental to health and long life. Every human being has a limited amount of life energy, they say, and the speed with which it is consumed determines the lifespan. Citing the scientifically recognized Metabolic Theory, the book explains how being "lazy" -- being...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0897934016
• ISBN13: 9780897934015
• Release Date: October 2003
• Publisher: Hunter House Publishers
• Length: 160 Pages
• Weight: 0.90 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 5.5" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

It's good, just don't take it as absolute fact.

I see a lot of very negative reviews on this site. And honestly, I think that these people are too much set in their own thoughts before they read the book. It's true the book is not entirely scientifically backed. But I think they have the right idea in a lot of their philosophy. When we work hard, we wear our body out. When we eat more than we expend energy to account for, we overload our body. There's a lot in life that we don't understand yet. When lab rats are fed a lot less than they normally would eat, why is there a gene activated that allows them to live longer? This study does not appear in this book alone, I've heard it from several independent sources. So while I don't condone sitting on your butt and never eating, I think that this book has a lot of really positive ideas in it that we would all do well to consider.

At last, the things we love in life are actually good for us

This fun, easy-to-read book is a breath of fresh air -- especially as the winter weather and workload are looming out my window and on my desk. (Just looking at the cover relieves my stress!) The new research is intriguing and their advice for good health makes intuitive, as well as scientific, sense. I enjoyed the anecdotes, the authors' sense of humor, and their tips and strategies. Now I'm off to take a recommended "30-second nap"....