Welcome to the Body Electric Newsletter

Hello friend,

It’s Manoush Zomorodi, host of NPR 's Body Electric series and TED Radio Hour. You’re hearing from me because at some point, you requested a quick start guide to get more movement into your screen-filled life.

Maybe you have since become utterly devoted to adding 5-minute breaks to every half hour of sitting (as Columbia researchers prescribed in Season 1). Or … maybe not.

As we learned in the interactive study we did with over 20,000 listeners, changing our tech habits to prioritize our health IS HARD. And that’s why we’re back with #BodyElectric Season 2.

Starting today, for the next several months, you can take me along for a movement break every Tuesday (if you’re already doing them, great! If not, now’s the time to start). Walk through your neighborhood, march in place, or do seated exercises and listen to a 5-minute episode. I’ll be walking and talking with an expert, notable person, or listener about how they’re trying to live better.

The first is with America’s so-called “Poet Laureate of the ordinary,” best-selling memoirist Kelly Corrigan . Lace up your sneaks and press play at some point today on 苹果 Podcasts: https://n.pr/4bfe0hA or Spotify : https://n.pr/3Wig0kK

Stay tuned for longer episodes that continue our investigation into how technology is impacting our physical health. And we want to include YOUR thoughts:

1. Describe your biggest struggle: How is your phone/laptop/work/social media keeping you from feeling good on a daily basis? Is your boss scheduling 3-hour Zoom meetings? Do you feel like you can never put the phone down because your kids might call??
2. What are your headphone habits? Do you never walk to the subway without your AirPods? Is listening to music the only way you can fall asleep (and block out your partner’s snoring)??

Please record a voice memo on your phone (preferably no longer than 5 minutes, please ??) and email it to [email protected]. Be sure to include your name and where you live. If you’re shy, you can also just reply to this email.?

Also, if you know someone who could use some help making time for movement or has a less-than-positive relationship with their tech, please ask them to be part of this effort. Tell them to sign up for the quick-start guide you got and/or listen to Season 1.

Life is a grand technological experiment on humans these days.

The Body Electric team and I hope to make it healthier and more joyful for you by digging deeper into how our bodies and brains are being shaped by our devices.?

Thanks so much for being part of it.?

X, Manoush

Editor's Note: This edition of the Body Electric newsletter was originally published in April 2024 and is being reposted for your enjoyment. To stay updated with the latest insights from NPR 's Body Electric, sign up for the newsletter here: https://n.pr/4cSRn2D