Getting curious about how resolutions reward our brain.

Whether we admit it or not, we’ll probably make a New Year’s Resolution.  (Hey, the resetting vibe of a new year is a natural and powerful pull!)  So let’s get a little curious about resolutions and how they reward us.

If you think about it, even the most basic of resolutions (lose weight) has many very worthy rewards.  A reset of eating and exercise habits, instantly rewards our bodies with less bloating, less fatigue, less joint aches.  Yes, please!    

Is your curiosity peaked? 

This week, I read up on the science of curiosity.  Talk about a reward-rich endeavor!  When we become curious about something, our brains get a triple-whammy of rewards.  First, our brain gets rewarded with new neural pathways.  (More pathways, stronger brain!)  Then, we get a shot of Dopamine, helping our mental health by making us feel more content. Finally, our brain gets another shot of endorphins, this time pumping up our motivation.  Wowza!

Now that you know about its multitude of rewards, you may want to set a “curiosity resolutions” this coming year:   

1. Become curious about the process on how something works and experiment away!  Make it your mission to experiment until you make the best chocolate cake, or grow the best potted tomato, or make the best flying paper airplane. 

2. Become curious about a culture or a historical time period.  Watch movies, read books and visit small museums about it.  Buy a piece of art from that culture to look at each day.  If you have become curious about yoga and meditation lately, start exploring mandala art. 

3. Become curious about an artform and make it your resolution to spend a certain amount of time doing it.  Get a set of basic Bob Ross paints and start watching his videos. (His life’s motto was anyone can paint!)  Or start making quilt squares for no reason at all, other than to create quilt squares.  What about origami? 

4. Become curious about “curiosity meditation”.  Meditation doesn’t have to be sitting in darkness, trying to quiet the senses.  Meditation can be the very opposite!  You can go on a meditation walk, noticing the changes in breeze, the tiniest of sounds, and curiously searching for little nature moments to notice.         

Whatever resolution you make this year, please take time to acknowledge the rewards that it brings to you! Even if you don’t achieve your final goal, you’ll be safe in the knowledge that you have given your body, mind or soul some big rewards from your effort.  

Until next time,

Laura