The World's Best Book Summaries
Are we failing to treat ADHD in children? How are we addressing it now? Stolen Focus author Johann Hari says that we’re failing to effectively address ADHD (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder) in children. He says that instead of medicating them, we need to find the underlying reasons and solve them. Keep reading to learn the factors that lead to ADHD and the risks of ADHD medication.
What is the wood-wide web? How does it help trees communicate with each other? In Finding the Mother Tree, Suzanne Simard discovered that trees are intertwined via fungus in a complex resource-sharing network. She compares this to an internet satellite system, which she refers to as the “wood-wide web.” Learn more about the wood-wide web below.
Do you have trouble concentrating? Why can’t people focus anymore? Stolen Focus by Johann Hari argues that our attention crisis is the result of outside forces stealing our focus. Hari says that there’s obvious proof many people can’t focus: people aren’t reading as much and our minds wander too much. Read below the signs that many people are having trouble concentrating.
What are the benefits of being mindful? How is your health affected by mindfulness? According to Dr. Judson Brewer in Unwinding Anxiety, there’s a reliable way to recognize and dismantle anxiety and the harmful habits it spawns. He suggests mindfulness—the practice of paying close attention to the present moment without analyzing or judging it. Here are the top benefits of practicing mindfulness.
What is a forest ecosystem? Are forests technically societies? Suzanne Simard’s research suggests that cooperation is the defining nature of the relationship between trees and other plant life. Her book Finding the Mother Tree suggests that a forest ecosystem is very similar to human societies. Read more to learn what a forest ecosystem is and how it’s similar to human societies.
What is the attention crisis? How does it affect our ability to read and think? Stolen Focus by journalist Johann Hari makes the case that we have an attention crisis, which means we’re all losing the ability to concentrate. He argues that it’s the result of outside forces and not people being lazy. Let’s look at how the attention crisis is affecting our minds.
How can you practice mindfulness every day? What are the benefits of everyday mindfulness? Practicing mindfulness in your daily life has many benefits, including reducing anxiety. In Unwinding Anxiety, Dr. Judson Brewer offers two mindful techniques that you should incorporate into your daily routine. Read more to learn the two mindfulness techniques that can help you cope with anxiety.
Why is it so hard to focus? What external factors are making it hard to concentrate? In Stolen Focus, Johann Hari cites seven reasons why it’s so hard to focus. These factors are outside of your control and contribute to the attention crisis we’re living in. Discover the seven factors below to see if any of them are affecting you.
How hard is it to get over anxiety? What will get in your way if you seek treatment? Even if you fully buy into the goal of eliminating your anxiety, you might run into additional roadblocks. Dr. Judson Brewer’s book Unwinding Anxiety says that the two main roadblocks are overthinking and beating yourself up. Keep reading to learn why getting over anxiety isn’t as easy as many people think.
What is Julia Cameron’s Seeking Wisdom about? What are the main takeaways of the book? In Seeking Wisdom, Julia Cameron explains that spirituality is the key to creativity. Throughout the book, Cameron walks you through each step of your spiritual journey, using anecdotes from her own life and interviews with those close to her to illustrate her recommendations. Read below for a brief overview of Seeking Wisdom by Julia Cameron.