Powerful ideas from top nonfiction
Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 7,500+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.
Start your free trial
Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
Listen to the Intro
The Comfort Crisis summary
Michael Easter
Embrace Discomfort to Reclaim Your Wild, Happy, Healthy Self
20 mins
Brief summary
'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.
Table of Contents
The Comfort Crisis
Summary of 7 key ideas
Audio & text in the Blinkist app
Key idea 1 of 7
Modern life is comfortable, but it’s not making us happy.
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 The physical struggles of survival have been replaced by mental challenges, like rising levels of anxiety and occupational burnout.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.
Want to see all full key ideas from The Comfort Crisis?
Key ideas in The Comfort Crisis
More knowledge in less time
Read or listen
Get the key ideas from nonfiction bestsellers in minutes, not hours.
Find your next read
Get book lists curated by experts and personalized recommendations.
Shortcasts New
We’ve teamed up with podcast creators to bring you key insights from podcasts.
What is The Comfort Crisis about?
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 Review
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 provides eye-opening insights into the hidden costs of our comfort-driven culture, encouraging us to challenge our assumptions and embrace discomfort as a path to growth.
- Through compelling research and compelling stories, the book highlights the importance of seeking physical, mental, and emotional challenges for a more fulfilling life.
- With its engaging storytelling and relatable examples, the book keeps readers hooked, ensuring that the exploration of comfort never feels dull or monotonous.
Who should read The Comfort Crisis?
- People feeling disillusioned with modern life
- Restless spirits craving an Into the Wild experience
- Anyone interested in improving their physical or mental health
Categories with The Comfort Crisis
Book summaries like The Comfort Crisis
People ❤️ Blinkist
Sven O.
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.
Thi Viet Quynh N.
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.
Jonathan A.
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.
Renee D.
Great app. Addicting. Perfect for wait times, morning coffee, evening before bed. Extremely well written, thorough, easy to use.
People also liked these summaries
Mostly What God Does
Savannah Guthrie
Reflections on Seeking and Finding His Love Everywhere
18 min
4.3
Fooled by Randomness
Nassim Nicholas Taleb
The Hidden Role of Chance in Life and the Markets
20 min
4.6
4.7 Stars
Average ratings on iOS and Google Play
32 Million
Downloads on all platforms
10+ years
Experience igniting personal growth
The Comfort Crisis FAQs
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.
What to read after The Comfort Crisis?
If you're wondering what to read next after The Comfort Crisis, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- Scarcity Brain by Michael Easter
- Crazy Joy by Mary Katherine Backstrom
- Make Self-Confidence Your Superpower by The Blinkist Team
- Never Enough by Jennifer Breheny Wallace
- The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt
- Slow Productivity by Cal Newport
- 13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do by Amy Morin
- 13 Things Mentally Strong Couples Don't Do by Amy Morin
- Build the Life You Want by Arthur C. Brooks & Oprah Winfrey
- Make Self-Confidence Your Superpower (single sourced article) by The Blinkist Team