Body Electric: The Hidden Health Costs of the Digital Age and New Science to Reclaim Your Well-Being

by Manoush Zomorodi, Keith Diaz (Foreword By)

From the award-winning journalist and TED Radio Hour host comes a timely investigation into how screens and sitting are reshaping our bodies—and how a simple shift can change everything.

In today’s world, a normal day means sitting in front of a screen for eight to ten hours. Meeting after meeting. Email after email. We leave our desks drained, overstimulated and unfocused, only to go home, sit down again, and scroll some more. The result? Headaches, back pain, restless sleep, and rising rates of preventable disease. We know technology is breaking us down—so why can’t we break away?

It’s a question that Manoush Zomorodi has always wanted to answer. As the host of the TED Radio Hour, she has interviewed experts, conducted citizen experiments, and sought out research about how our digital lives are changing the way we think, learn, and feel. Now, in Body Electric, she presents an eye-opening investigation into the impact technology and sedentary living has had on our bodies and brains, from breath and eyesight to blood pressure, posture, and productivity, and shares what science (and tens of thousands of participants in a groundbreaking study with Columbia University Medical Center) have taught her—it’s the small shifts, not the digital detoxes, that will make us healthier.

Filled with perspective-shifting data and real-life applications and tools, Body Electric is the next must-listen for fans of Four Thousand Weeks and The Anxious Generation, and anyone feeling trapped by their technology.

Genres: Nonfiction, Health, Self Help, Audiobook, Science, Technology, Psychology

304 pages, Hardcover

Published May 5, 2026

About the author

Manoush Zomorodi is the incoming host of NPR’s TED Radio Hour and co-founder of Stable Genius Productions. She is also the co-host and co-creator of ZigZag, the business podcast about being human.

Investigating how technology and business are transforming humanity is Manoush’s passion and expertise. Her book Bored and Brilliant: How Spacing Out Can Unlock Your Most Creative Self (2017, St. Martin’s Press) and TED Talk (3.3m+ views) are guides to surviving the “Attention Economy.” She was one of Fast Company’s 100 Most Creative People in Business for 2018. Manoush created and hosted the podcast Note to Self from 2013-2019, in partnership with WNYC Studios. The Academy of Podcasters named Note to Self Best Tech Podcast of 2017. Manoush has received numerous awards for her work, including The Gracie in 2014 and 2018 for Best Radio Host.
She is half-Persian and half-Swiss but was born in NYC, where she lives with her family.

Reviews

[TheConnieFox]

This non fiction book was great! I really enjoyed reading it and I feel like I have learned a lot. It definitely gave me a wake up call! I found it to be informative, hopeful, inspiring and lighthearted. It has become my new favorite non fiction book of the year! I honestly feel that this book would be relatable to everyone, in some way. It gives people solutions to their problems, which are heavily backed up by science.

It is about how people in this modern world have become so dependent on technology. Furthermore, this book investigates on how technology affects our mental and physical health. Technology is a good thing to have and most of us cannot go without it, but we can change small things here and there.

Just going for a short walk can make a difference on our mental and physical well being. It is a book that gives you insight on how you can get healthier, while living in this technological world. I highly recommend this book to anyone that is interested in learning new ways to improve their overall mental and physical health! Overall, I give this book a high 4.5 stars out of 5 stars rating! It is an excellent resource!

Thank you to NetGalley. Authors Manoush Zomorodi; Keith Diaz, PhD and Flatiron Books for this digital eARC in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

This book is expected to be published on May 5, 2026!

[Ashley Bertles]

Favorite book I've read all year so far hands down! This book is so eye opening to the way technology negatively affects our well-being and health. Each chapter is built around real-world examples, which really helped make the info both easy to follow and practical to apply. There are so many little facts and statistics scattered throughout that were so fascinating.

[Shannon]

EVERYONE should read this book.

I first heard about The Body Electric i​n an email from 1000 Hours Outside, and within minutes I knew it was a book I needed to pick up. As someone who spent years working in a cubicle and now still finds herself sitting behind a computer for long stretches while running a business, this book hit home in the best possible way.

Was everything in it brand new? No.

Did it completely change the way I think about movement? Absolutely.

Manoush Zomorodi takes a topic we've all heard about​, how sitting too much affects our health​ and makes it incredibly engaging, practical, and, honestly, hard to ignore. She blends science, history, personal stories, and fascinating research into a book that never feels overwhelming or overly technical. Instead, it leaves you thinking, "Why aren't we talking about this more?"

One of my biggest takeaways was that movement doesn't have to mean spending hours in the gym. It's the little things that matter: standing up every 30–45 minutes, taking a short walk around the block, stretching while the kettle boils, gardening, carrying groceries, choosing the stairs, or simply finding more opportunities to move throughout the day.

What really resonated with me was that movement isn't just about our physical health. It's about our brains, our creativity, our mood, our focus, and even the quality of our work. We were designed to move, yet so much of modern life encourages us to stay planted in one place for hours at a time.

I loved this book so much that I'm honestly considering buying my own copy, even though I borrowed this one from the library. That's usually my sign that a book is worth revisiting.

I've already started thinking about how I can build more intentional movement into my everyday routine​, not by adding another workout, but by changing the rhythm of my day.

If you spend your days behind a desk, work from home, drive a lot, or find yourself scrolling far more than strolling...this book is for you.

[Holly N]

Essentially a user manual for your body, especially if you work in a desk job.

Can recommend to anyone interested in longevity or beating chronic illness! I’m already incorporating a lot of her suggestions, minus the one where you should generally try not sit for more than 25 min at a time 😩

[Mckenna Flaherty]

It took me awhile to get through this. Overall an interesting read. She went over a lot of things I already know and I initially wanted to read this book to gain more science backed knowledge about why more movement is better to bring to my training clients. She kinda lost me in parts of the book where she talks about giving up going to the gym to just simply walk throughout her day instead. Which… just isn’t enough for overall health and esp for bone density and joints for women as we age. Nonetheless, i guess she was trying to make a different point for this specific book. 2.5 stars rounded up bc i do think this information is very important to the general public

[Ashley Archangelo]

I absolutely LOVED this book! The author/audiobook narrator is so engaging, not to mention the content of this book is amazing. If you are feeling exhausted, in a rut at work, or just overall in a slump in life, this book has actionable ways to move your body and feel better. I’ve already started to implement a few things and feel the difference.

[Alex C]

I wish I had read this like 10 years ago. 🙄

[Holly Dyer]

This was very inspiring, transformative, life-changing. We see how the digital age costs us our physical and mental health, not only just using screens but how sedentary we have become. Using plenty of scientific evidence, Manoush advocates for 5-minute “movement breaks” in between 30 minutes of sitting time. She hosted a “Body Electric” podcast on NPR and listeners participated in this study and reported inspiring outcomes such as improved energy, focus, productivity, internal awareness, weight management, and more. This really convinced me how sedentary I can be on a typical workday, but 5-minute move breaks while I’m working feels very doable. She also realizes that this is easier than it sounds and provides lots of suggestions to work it in. There’s also plenty of advice for how to take care of our kids with screens and movement, and also for older adults to enjoy healthy aging and longevity. I think most importantly, she’s not anti-tech and recognizes that we can’t just go off-the-grid, but finds these opportunities to move as a way to keep us feeling “human”. Very evidence-based but also well-written and a pleasure to read; she even reminds us to take movement breaks while we’re reading the book.

Thanks to Flatiron Books and NetGalley for the ARC.

[Sol]

This was a refreshing and informative read. We all know screens are bad and sitting at our desks all day is equally as bad. Somehow I had convinced myself that because I’m a runner that negates the time I spend sitting in front of a computer but it doesn’t. This book does a great job at reviewing the data out there for how bad sitting all the time is bad for us and talks about a global experiment they did where they encouraged people to have movement breaks through out the day and report how they felt. Of course, walking/movement breaks are really good for you, not just physically but also for you mind. Have you found yourself feeling low on energy and falling asleep while trying to power through at work? It might actually be our brain telling us it needs a break! I’m excited about implementing this on my daily life. Ideally, breaks needs to be every 30 min for 5 min but even something is better than nothing. Manoush also helps by giving examples of what people tried to get their breaks in and how they felt after they did.
Something I really liked about this book was how good she is at translating science into lay language and is easy to understand.
Let’s get moving!

[Dorothy]

Doing the Body Electric might be better than listening to a long form exposition on it. But many aspects were interesting. I just felt a little more than sorry for my sedentary self by the end… because it’s really drilled in how we must move to stay healthy and increase longevity. Manoush has such a hypnotic voice. I was happy to see she had work since I long ago listened to her and participated in Bored and Brilliant. I share her fascination with the effect of tech on our health. So I’ll read most anything about it.

[Syd]

Good information but about 40% too long, and some inappropriate reliance on anecdotal info that bordered on Culty.

[Kelly (kellyreadingbooks)]

⚡️Body Electric: The Hidden Health Costs of the Digital Age and New Science to Reclaim Your Well-Being by Manoush Zomorodi 🎧8 hrs 3 min, 5/5⭐️

⚡️In Body Electric, Manoush presents an eye-opening investigation into the impact technology and sedentary living has had on our bodies and brains, from breath and eyesight to blood pressure, posture, and productivity, and shares what science (and tens of thousands of participants in a groundbreaking study with Columbia University Medical Center) have taught her—it’s the small shifts, not the digital detoxes, that will make us healthier. (nonfiction, published 2026 Flatiron Books)

⚡️This was fascinating! Tangible ways to improve your physical health, all about getting off your screens both personally and professionally. And with amazing motivation to do so! I could see myself re-listening to this at one point to really drive home everything I've learned. Finally, a book that acknowledges we all have different jobs, health concerns and life circumstances and doesn't offer a one size fits all approach, but nuanced ideas. Pick this one up!

[kennedy parrish]

4.25 ⭐️ MOVE, PEOPLE!! So much of this book is, confirmed, life changing information, and it’s not difficult to do either. I do wish there was more conversation about the impact of disability on movement, and discussion about what that can effectively look like in different contexts. I appreciate the acknowledgment that “go for a walk” is a very unhelpful suggestion for folks who live in neighborhoods or areas that are environmentally hazardous or just generally unsafe.

[Laura Probst]

Listened to the audiobook on my drive and love love loved this. Made me want to throw away my phone and never sit down again 😂 while I already knew some of the information, the author structured this book so well and added in a lot of interesting facts. Scary to hear how our world has changed but it was also empowering and made me want to make changes. They even included an entire chapter on myopia (shoutout Caitlyn!). Highly recommend!

[Jaimie Hockema]

I feel like I went down the same rabbit holes she did to write this book! From books, people and resources she referenced, I had heard of 70% I think (thanks mostly to diary of a CEO). Learned some helpful things about the importance of movement, not that I needed convincing, but the studies cited and the science behind it was fascinating to learn about. I began implementing some of the walk breaks recommended here and have seen some helpful results!

[Kristine Thurston]

I loved this book and think movement breaks could be life changing—if only I can do them consistently.

[Daphne Donigan]

Great book that is well rounded and breaks down concepts that are easy to understand. Really inspired me to move more!

[Malcolmd]

Can't review this right now, need to take a movement break 🚶

[Katie]

5 star idea.
3 star book.

This wasn’t in depth enough for me to read such a long book in the world of really wonderful books. YMMV. Seemed a little long for the topic.

[Julie Silber]

Torn between a strong 3 weak 4… I think I would have rated it higher (was toying with a 5 early on) but after the initial study that drew me in, it broadened in a way I wasn’t expecting or really desiring. The main takeaway (move for five minutes after every 25 minutes of sedentary life) is very appealing and I do want to try!

[Addie Guyer]

8 hours a day at a desk staring at a screen is quite literally killing us. I’ve never felt more motivated to get off my butt and move

[Jennifer]

Good stuff but kind of a repetitive read. For me this could have been an article.

[Grace Edelen]

Not to be dramatic but every human should read this book.

[Sarah]

interesting but it felt like a compilation of lots of pop science around how bad screens are for you w/a recommendation to 'move more'

[Kelli]

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Overall this was interesting, and although I have never listened to the Body Electric podcast I learned a lot about why my desk job and phone scrolling makes me feel so bad lol. To be honest though I expected much more of a scientific book, and was disappointed that this was written extremely simply and in a very self-help style, which I normally do not enjoy. Most of the info here was pretty obvious stuff, but if you enjoy self help books in general or this author's podcast you probably would like this more than I did.

[Barbara McPherson]

Although we know the importance of moving one’s body, this is still a transformative read.

[Lori]

Body Electric is an easily accessible, evidence-based book that traces how human bodies adapted to different economic eras and how we evolved from being nimble hunter-gatherers to sedentary laptop users. It explains that while technological changes and advancements have made life more convenient and easier, they have demanded less of our bodies. This book explains, using data from the Body Electric experiment and podcast the author hosted in addition to well documented sources, the physical and mental damage the digital age is causing. Recently, there has been a lot of discussion about the effects of social media and the harm phones have on school-age children and young adults. Many school districts are now banning phones in school. But just sitting in class all day can also cause problems. It can not be argued that technological advances have saved billions of lives and delivered ways to combat isolation. However, inactivity has slowly unleashed a wave of health problems including obesity, cardiovascular disease, even type 2 diabetes in young people. The book recommends a five-minute movement break every thirty minutes, which can reverse many of the negative effects of prolonged sitting. The physical manifestations of this practice were amazing, including lowering blood pressure and blood sugar levels. People in the study also self-reported feeling less anxious, improved concentration, and higher energy.

While I consider myself active, the book was a wake-up call for those of us who spend long stretches of time starring at a screen without moving. The section on information workers and their continuous “triaging” was particularly interesting and relatable. The author explains that when we are tired, stressed, or just overloaded, having to make constant decisions, the brain goes on autopilot, which is why we end up scrolling social media or binge-watching a program instead of doing the work that needs to get done. The book made me reevaluate my workday and to recognize the brain-body connection. I am now more aware of when I am using mindless scrolling as a coping mechanism for stress or finding small tasks to accomplish instead of attacking larger, harder ones. I am also trying to reduce Zoom fatigue by spacing out meetings throughout the workday. I was totally unaware that sitting too much can also increase inflammation and affect the gut microbiome, something I have been experiencing for a year.

The book at times delved into scientific explanations, but for the most part it was easily readable. There were lots of personal examples that made it relatable. I especially appreciated the summaries at the end of the chapters, the To Do suggestions, and the diverse ways to take a move break, which could include walking around the dining table or desk. The author doesn’t advocate completely doing away with screens while on breaks, although she recommends it.

There is no doubt that taking regular movement breaks has positive effects and can boost productively. However, getting a company to buy into the routine is more difficult. For people who work from home it’s a little easier, but many people would not understand if you got up in the middle of a meeting to start marching. The author recognizes that and recommends people set a schedule that works for them. Everyone can make small changes that can keep things from getting worse. Think of it as self-care, something all of us need, especially now.

I highly recommend this book, young or old, to anyone who wants to improve how they feel, especially those tethered to screens. It was eye-opening. I did recognize the irony of reading this advance ebook copy on the screen while reading about too much sedentary screen time, which might contribute to the length of time it took me to finish as I tried to take many breaks in between chapters.

Thank you to NetGalley and Flatiron Books for the opportunity to review this book in exchange for my opinion. The title caught my eye and I am glad I requested it.

[Jeff]

Clarion Call For Post-COVID Society To Move More. In this text - based on a 2023 podcast and experiment Zomorodi helped orchestrate - the central point could not be more clear: Virtually all of us, particularly among white collar workers, in this post-COVID age need to move more. A lot more. To the tune of 5 minutes every 30 minutes. Nothing overly stressful, a casual stroll or its equivalent is actually the recommendation. No or at least minimal sweat, just movement to get our body operating more efficiently than it does when we sit for hours on end.

This is actually a book that is hitting pretty damn hard personally, as I am now actively fighting health issues in my legs (and I'm actively getting various scans to identify exactly what is going on and where, but so far it seems limited to my legs) that this text actually directly addresses, such as lymphedema (which is specifically mentioned) and possible (in my case) chronic veinous insufficiency. This, from a man who a few yrs pre-COVID (within the absolute value from COVID that we now are after COVID) was walk/ running (13 min mile or so at my best) 1100 miles per year / 5K race every month and even did a pair of half marathons (PR: 3:09:12). And then COVID hit and I eventually got my dream job, fully remote and doing interesting work while getting to mentor colleagues newer to the field.

But now I sit. All. The. Time. And my legs in particular have begun to noticeably have ill effects. DDPYoga, particularly its programs starting you flat on your back on your bed and progressing to sitting in a chair and then (where I am now) using a chair for stability as you begin to stand through the workout, has helped in my case... but Zomorodi's advice here may actually be even more beneficial to even more people than DDP has been. (Sorry, DDP - you're awesome and I really can't thank you enough for this program, but I stand behind my last statement.)

In conjunction with Rowan Jacobsen's In Defense of Sunlight, releasing about six weeks after this book and which I read just a day or so before reading this book, what many of us need to do to begin both getting healthier and generally feeling better could not be more clear... or more basic. Get up. Get out. Move around more. Not enough to burn (either your skin or sweating), but enough to just *be*. According to the actual research using thousands of people Zomorodi describes in this text that she helped facilitate, it really is that simple and will provide a fair amount of quality of life benefits that will at minimum help your focus and emotional stability if nothing else.

Ultimately, and I can't believe *I* am saying this, consult your physician for any problems you're actually feeling. If you don't have one, find one - even with my general anti-doc stance (and I have my reasons), quite simply (and this is the very thing that got me to finally go to them), they have instrumentation and thus information that you cannot possibly obtain on your own/ at home, including the scans I've already done and am doing over the next couple of weeks. But talk to them about Zomorodi's ideas here in this text. Talk to them about Jacobsen's ideas in his text. Ask them about DDPYoga if you think it may help you.

Even as Zomorodi is discussing something she actively participated in and helped facilitate via her podcast, this book is still pretty well documented at 22% of the text of even the Advance Review Copy I read, with a forward from the doc whose research she had found and decided to help with. Which is perfectly in line with my usual expectations of 20-30% documentation.

Move more. 5 minutes every 30 minutes is ideal, according to Zomorodi, but even 5 minutes every hour or even 2 hours will provide at least some benefit. Just a casual stroll, in an office hallway, around your apartment, whatever space you may have. Just move. Frequently.

Very much recommended.

[Fred Cheyunski]

Move, Think, Thrive - Having enjoyed Manoush Zomorodi's reporting on technology over the years, I was eager to read “The Body Electric.” At first, I questioned whether an entire book could be built around one research study. Instead, Zomorodi and Columbia University researcher Keith Diaz use that study as a springboard for an engaging exploration of how digital technology is reshaping our bodies, minds, and work—and what we can realistically do about it.

The book includes an Introduction, ten chapters organized into three parts, and a Conclusion. It begins by explaining the "mind-body-tech connection," examines the rise of sedentary work and the Body Electric clinical study, explores the effects of screens on posture, sleep, attention, and the senses, and concludes with practical guidance for children, knowledge workers, and healthy aging.

One of the book's greatest strengths is placing today's digital health challenges in historical context. Long before smartphones, industrialization steadily reduced physical labor at work and home. As the authors explain, humanity has created an environment that is now "turning back around to alter us." Their response is refreshingly practical rather than alarmist. This book is, as they describe it, "a blueprint for reclaiming our bodies from the unintended consequences technological advances have had on our health."

The collaboration between scientist and journalist also works exceptionally well. Diaz notes in the Foreword that important discoveries accomplish little if they remain inside "academic circles or ivory towers." Zomorodi's ability to translate research into compelling stories helped transform laboratory findings into a worldwide study involving more than 20,000 participants. The evidence supporting short movement breaks is surprisingly persuasive: research cited here shows that sitting more than ten hours daily significantly increases cardiovascular risk, while five-minute walks every thirty minutes improve blood pressure, blood sugar, fatigue, and mood.

Beyond physical health, the authors examine how constant digital stimulation fragments attention and crowds out reflection. Their discussion of "autobiographical planning"—the mind's ability to wander, reflect, and imagine future possibilities—offers an especially valuable reminder that productivity is not simply about maximizing screen time. Likewise, their observation that generative AI could either make work "less frantic and more human" or intensify existing pressures echoes concerns raised in Mustafa Suleyman's “The Coming Wave” (see my review)

The book seems to complement several others I have read including Barabási's “Bursts” on natural work rhythms, Stolzoff's “The Good Enough Job” on workplace culture, as well as Davis's “Technology's Child,” Mitteldorf and Sagan's “Cracking the Aging Code,” and Lockwood's No One Is Talking About This” related to human development and social media interaction (see my reviews).

My principal reservation is that many of the proposed solutions ultimately depend upon individual discipline. Although Zomorodi briefly discusses workplace and policy changes, the economic incentives driving today's attention economy continue pushing society toward greater digital engagement rather than healthier habits (e.g., see my review of Hayes’ “The Sirens’ Call”).

Even so, Body Electric succeeds admirably in making important science accessible while offering practical, evidence-based strategies for living more intentionally in an increasingly technology-centered world. It is an informative, timely, and worthwhile guide for anyone seeking to reclaim both physical well-being and mental focus in the digital age.

[Marissa Walters]

Maybe 3.5? Listened on audio. Okay, I'm gonna start off by saying I standddd by the vast majority of what this book is trying to say. We do not move enough, and it shows in our rising numbers in obesity, chronic illness, mental illness, etc. I genuinely agree with the message of this book and am glad we're moving towards the shift of more movement. However, this was boring. ☹️ I was living for it the first 1/3, and then I kinda started half listening. It wasn't even a poorly written book, I think you just have to LOVE this topic to stay interested. I was kinda ready for it to be over with at just 50%. The constant stats and research talk. Like, we get it. I also struggled with the simplification of several ideas.. which.. may be the point? But there were a few chapters where it was just.. I went to one Pilates class and now, 🫶🏼I've never been tired ever again🫶🏼. Adding 5 minutes EVERY 25 minutes of working feels low key insane. The author definitely did try to say just do what you can, which I greatly appreciated, but she would then throw 65 more recommendations you should be doing daily- take eye breaks, lower your headphones, move, hold your zoom meetings while walking, no phone in bed, etc. etc. etc. It just feels overwhelming. There's a major level of privilege being able to complete a lot of these ideal recommendations, and I don't think that was talked about enough. A lot of these recommendations are because our society is set up that way, which she briefly discusses near the end. I don't live in a walkable city. I don't have a flexible work from home job. I don't live somewhere I can take constant hourly walks outside because of the weather. Do I think we should park further away at the grocery store to get more steps in? YES. Do I think we should turn off the screens and stretch more? YES. Am I convinced I'm fatigued everyday at 2PM because I've sat in front of my screen for 3 hours straight? Sure do. Do I think sleep is outrageously important? Duh. I don't disagree, but I just feel like more of the obstacles should've been mentioned a lot more than they were. The end