A revelatory examination of why you’re feeling so worn out—and how to reimagine your relationship with your devices when you can’t unplug

Technology may make our lives easier, but it’s also a major cause of exhaustion. You know the feeling: The aimless scrolling. The constant notifications filling your screen. The sinking realization that no matter how many messages you respond to, how many posts you read, or how much data you sort through, you can never stay ahead of it. Unplugging is not a long-term solution. In today’s world, if you want to keep your job, participate in society, and maintain meaningful relationships, you can’t escape your many apps and devices.

The good news is that there is an achievable path to reducing your digital exhaustion. Paul Leonardi studies how real people can use technology in healthy ways. He offers realistic approaches that won’t fragment your attention and deplete your cognitive and emotional reserves. Many of the changes are simple yet surprisingly effective, like waiting longer to respond and making sure you’re using the right tool for your task. He also explains the emotional traps that lead us into dysfunctional relationships with our technology, and how to escape them.

With Leonardi as your guide, you can build stronger connections, be more creative and productive, and create the mental space to reclaim your energy and your life.