The Joy of Laziness: Why Life Is Better Slower -- and How to Get There [Paperback]

Ph.D. Peter Axt (Author), M.D. Michaela Axt-Gadermann (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 10, 2003

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 calm, eating temperately, reducing or avoiding sports, exercising moderately, and limiting ambition — can boost the immune system and increase longevity. Included are energy-saving suggestions about eating, working, and exercising; quizzes to determine stress level, life energy, and physical well-being; and valuable tips, charts, and advice on this controversial idea.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Challenges a fitness ethic that is at the core of a huge service industry in Europe and the United States." -- The Times (UK)

"Good news for...the millions who share...angst and guilt for failing to jog their way to health and happiness." -- Reuters, April 18, 2001

"Readers don't have to follow every piece of advice, but their tips for an energy-saving program could serve you well." -- Nurenberger Nachrichten

"What a practical book! It takes away your bad conscience when you're unable to get up on a Saturday morning!" -- Cosmopolitan (Germany)

Their sensible approach...will appeal to readers discouraged by more rigorous plans. -- Library Journal

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Hunter House (October 10, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0897934016
• ISBN-13: 978-0897934015
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,405,174 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars At last, the things we love in life are actually good for us, October 10, 2003

By 

Liza (Berkeley, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Joy of Laziness: Why Life Is Better Slower -- and How to Get There (Paperback)

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"....

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars It's good, just don't take it as absolute fact., November 7, 2007

By 

Jeffrey P. Van Andel (Detroit, MI USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Joy of Laziness: Why Life Is Better Slower -- and How to Get There (Paperback)

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.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Sloppy work, but occasionally interesting ideas, July 7, 2008

By 

T. Priest - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Joy of Laziness: Why Life Is Better Slower -- and How to Get There (Paperback)

First, the book is titled to sell, not to describe the contents. A better title would be, "Live Longer By Using Less Energy", which is a much better summary. The book explores this topic with some contrarian theories, such as endurance exercise shortening life span once you are past your 20s, and some more established ones, such as calorie restriction and stress reduction increase health and life span.

Unfortunately, the authors usually support their claims with anectdotes. For instance, Winston Churchill hated exercise and lived a long time. Jim Fixx was a jogging evangelist and died young of a heart attack. Clearly, endurance exercise is bad for you. This sort of "reasoning" is throughout the book. There are occasional endnotes with various studies that may or may not support them (I haven't investigated), but little context around the study. It might say, "There was a study that showed people who woke up before 7:20 AM had more cortisol in their blood than those who woke up later, regardless of bedtime," and then move on to something else. The fact(?) is interesting, but the book does not give you enough detail of the study to evaluate it with any independence.

On the positive side, it does hint at some interesting possibilities and give some useful suggestions. For example, it recommends juggling as stress relief (with another unexplained reference to a study), and occasional fasting instead of continual small portions as a way to achieve caloric restriction.

Because it's a fast read, it may be worth picking up at the library and breezing through for the bright spots. However, I can't recommend buying this book. A future effort would be much better with a more rigorous look at the science that may be out there and the help of a science writer.