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Go Wild

Free Your Body and Mind from the Afflictions of Civilization

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Go Wild

By: John J. Ratey MD MD, Richard Manning, David Perlmutter - introduction MD MD
Narrated by: Dan Woren
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About this listen

 The scientific evidence behind why maintaining a lifestyle more like that of our ancestors will restore our health and well-being.

In Go Wild, Harvard Medical School Professor John Ratey, MD, and journalist Richard Manning reveal that although civilization has rapidly evolved, our bodies have not kept pace. This mismatch affects every area of our lives, from our general physical health to our emotional wellbeing. Investigating the power of living according to our genes in the areas of diet, exercise, sleep, nature, mindfulness and more, Go Wild examines how tapping into our core DNA combats modern disease and psychological afflictions, from Autism and Depression to Diabetes and Heart Disease. By focusing on the ways of the past, it is possible to secure a healthier and happier future, and Go Wild will show you how. Biological Sciences Diets, Nutrition & Healthy Eating Evolution Evolution & Genetics Exercise & Fitness Fitness, Diet & Nutrition Mental Health Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Science Health Physical Exercise Healthy Diet Nutrition Heartfelt

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Critic reviews

"A brilliantly creative synthesis of research and theory offering up a practical, playful, yet profound answer to that most basic question: how to live."—Edward Hallowell, MD, author of Shine: Using Brain Science to Bring Out the Best in Your People
"The mission accomplished by this wonderfully empowering book is nothing short of revolutionary."—from the foreword by David Perlmutter, MD, author of Grain Brain
"Essential reading for anyone interested in unleashing the true power of human nature."—Tyler Graham, author of The Happiness Diet
"An exciting read! A fascinating investigation into the power of evolutionary forces in our lives. Illuminating, penetrating, and immensely practical."—Jim Loehr, cofounder of Human Performance Institute and coauthor of The Power of Full Engagement
"A clear, sustained, fast-paced, utterly persuasive argument that much of our current distress and disease is the product of how the activities of regimented modern life estrange us from our biological needs, literally making us ill. It's also about how to live to avoid this distress. Filled with fascinating details, and the palpable joy of the authors who have found a way to break free from these restrictions, it's also inspiring and will influence many to change the way they live for the better."—Norman Doidge, MD, author of The Brain That Changes Itself
PRAISE FOR SPARK

"A real turning point that explains something I've been trying to figure out for years, having experienced symptoms of both ADHD and mild depression. Exercise is not simply necessary; as Dr. Ratey clearly shows, it's medicine."—Greg LeMond, three-time winner of the Tour de France
"SPARK is just what we need--a thoughtful, interesting, scientific treatise on the powerful and positive impact of exercise on the brain. In mental health, exercise is a growth stock and Ratey is our best broker."--Ken Duckworth, MD, Medical Director for the National Alliance on Mental Illness
"If your goal is to live a long and healhy life to the fullest, then Spark should be required reading."—Kenneth H. Cooper, MD, MPH, "The Father of Aerobics"
"Spark is mercifully short on Ivy League med-school-speak. And it may just spell the end of all dumb-jock jokes." --Abe Streep, Outside
"Ratey has culled the latest science and found that a regular workout can help build a better, faster brain."—USA TODAY
"At last a book that explains to me why I feel so much better if I run in the morning!"—Dr. Susan M. Love, Dr. Susan Love's Menopause and Hormone Book
All stars
Most relevant
I’m halfway through and I am just in awe.
Would definitely recommend to people who want to become better versions of themselves, become more spiritual (not even in a religious way) and in tune with nature.

Mindblowing

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Fascinating facts about the human body and how to optimize your modern life so that it is more in line with the evolutionary design (for lack of a better word). Even though I am not a paleo zealot - far from it - I knew most of it about the nutrition from other like-minded sources. This book was particularly helpful in terms of the information on sleep and biofilia - the love of nature, wilderness that is biologically encoded in all of us. It's going to make a lasting and profound impression on my life, and I highly recommend this thoroughly enjoyable book.

Incredible ideas on how to align your life with evolutionary principles

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A very thought provoking book bringing together a number of disciplines that when considered as a whole offer a number of easy to follow guidelines.

Some of the research included I felt possibly had alternative sources for the end results but it's down to interpretation.

Certainly tools I will be incorporating into my journey.

Food for thought

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I will definitely be applying some of the advice given in this book. As the cover says, the main areas of focus are diet, exercise, meditation, sleep and being outside.

Diet: covers why we should be eating low-carb diets, and gives personal accounts of the illnesses which are in extreme cases associated with our modern habits.

Exercise: discusses the benefit and links between physical movement and mental health + cognitive ability. Trail running and cross fit are held up as examples throughout the book.

Meditation: shows the benefits again on both mental and physical health, using examples from scientific studies. Further research online suggests the benefits of meditation are visible after 8 weeks at 30 minutes a day - I’m not sure if they give that specific advice in the book.

Sleep: interesting section showing how our sleep patterns have changed, and the value of sleep linked with mood and cognitive ability.

The being outside / connect with nature bit is more of a theme throughout the book, examples are given as to why, as animals, we need to feel the stimulation of being outside, how it improves mood and physical health.

Definitely recommend for those (like me) who are fed up with our modern living, but aren’t quite ready to go and live on a hippy commune. I found I do implement a lot of the advice already, so the book aligns to how I think, but it’s also definitely given me food for thought on how I can implement more steps to improve my mood, and because the authors provide the research to back up their arguments, it gives motivation to follow through.

Sound advice for modern living

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Excellent compilation, a treasure of evidence based case to live the life to its fullest potential by disinfecting it from perils of modern civilisation.

Excellent book by one of the best in his domain

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