“I feel curious” means you want to learn something or to see something in action. It is an innate trait that many species have. It can be a secondary drive that gets triggered when something unexpected happens. It’s fun, too. People often say “I feel curious” after an experience that has piqued their interest.
Curiosity is an innate quality of many different species
Curiosity is often regarded as a high-level human trait, but it can also be seen in the behavior of many different species. For example, researchers have noted that infant rhesus monkeys are more likely to choose a soft surrogate mother than a bare wire one. According to psychologist Harry Harlow, “curiosity is a fundamental drive,” a behavior that drives organisms to solve puzzles even when there is no tangible reward.
In addition to humans, curiosity is present in animals such as rats and worms. Early definitions of curiosity state that curiosity is a highly motivated desire to learn and discover new things. This is in line with modern ideas of curiosity, but early definitions were merely a partial account of the quality.
It can be triggered by unexpected experiences
There are a variety of ways to deal with the fact that you feel curious, but one way is to try to avoid the situations that trigger your triggers. This may not be easy since they can occur anywhere, any time. Regardless of the situation, it is important to be kind to yourself. Try not to compare your present life with your past experiences. Those can be valuable lessons that you can learn from, but focus on the present moment.
When you feel curious about something, you’re likely to seek out information that could help you understand it. Often, this involves deferring to experts. Future-oriented cues may also focus on the unique criteria that will make it a ‘good’ explanation. These types of cues may differ from other types of curiosity.
It reduces anxiety
Practicing curiosity can help ease stress and anxiety, prevent burnout, and even improve your work performance. This article will explore four different ways to harness curiosity in the workplace and offer practical exercises you can try at home to improve your curiosity levels. Many organizations, including Google, Aetna, and Johnson & Johnson, have begun offering mindfulness training to their employees in an effort to improve their stress management and productivity. One study found that employees participating in a mindfulness training program increased their productivity by 62 minutes per week and saved $3,000 per employee.
Many entrepreneurs, including business owners, start their companies or new projects with an anxious mindset. Their motivation graphs often look like a U shape, with high points at the beginning and end and low points in the middle. It’s the valley in between that causes demotivation. Learning about this cycle of anxiety is the first step in building a curious mind.