Can Curiosity Make You Healthier?
Can Curiosity Make You Healthier?
We’ve all heard the saying, “Curiosity killed the cat.” Cats are known for following their curiosity without considering the consequences—and sometimes getting themselves into a scrape.
You might picture the classic scene of a firetruck being dispatched to rescue a curious kitten from a tree.
Or maybe the word curiosity brings to mind a wild-haired scientist with singed eyebrows after an experiment gone wrong.
Neither image exactly frames curiosity as a good thing.
But what if curiosity is a good thing?
What if you could use it to improve your health and wellness habits?
When “Just Do It” Isn’t Enough
One of my Southwest Florida Health and Wellness clients, Marie, recently received concerning results from a bone density scan. Her doctor encouraged her to incorporate exercise that would provide more resistance and support bone health.
Here’s the thing: Marie was already active.
She walked daily and swam or kayaked whenever she could. But her doctor explained that these activities weren’t providing the type of resistance she needed and suggested adding another form of exercise, such as walking on an elliptical machine.
The good news? Marie already owned an elliptical machine.
The bad news? She absolutely hated the thing!
And there it sat—on her back porch in Cape Coral.
So, We Got Curious
Instead of simply telling Marie she needed more willpower or discipline, we decided to get curious.
What might make it easier for her to use the elliptical?
Could she put a new plant near it? She loves plants.
Could she place reminders around her home about why she wanted to exercise—strong bones and a long, active life? Maintaining her strength and independence as she ages is very important to her.
They were good ideas. But when Marie tried them, neither provided the magical fix that suddenly had her hopping onto the elliptical on a regular basis.
We stayed curious.
Then, during one of our sessions, Marie had an idea.
“Wait,” she said. “What if I get on it while I take my dog out in the backyard? I’m out there for at least five minutes”—her current exercise goal—“and I can see the yard from my elliptical.”
There it was.
The question that moved Marie to action.
As it turns out, Marie is a very productive person. The opportunity to accomplish two things at once appealed to her. She wasn’t forcing herself to adopt someone else’s strategy. She had discovered one that fit her.
Fast-forward to our most recent meeting.
“I’m doing it!” she told me. “And I’m feeling stronger, which also motivates me.”
Curiosity Can Help Us Get Unstuck
At first glance, Marie’s goal seemed simple: get on the elliptical for five minutes, three times a week.
How hard could that be?
But we all know human behavior is rarely that simple.
We can get stuck even when a goal seems easy—and even when we know it’s important. Telling ourselves to “just do it” doesn’t always work.
That’s where curiosity can help.
Instead of judging ourselves for not following through, we can begin asking questions. Curiosity can help us uncover what’s getting in the way and discover a new source of motivation.
It may take a few rounds of experimentation and adjustment, as it did for Marie. But approaching a stubborn goal with curiosity can help us see possibilities we might otherwise miss.
Get Curious About Your Own Goals
Think about one of those elusive goals or tasks in your own life.
You know the ones. They seem simple. You know they’re important. And yet, somehow, you never quite get around to doing them.
Instead of asking yourself, “Why can’t I just do this?” try asking, “What could make this easier for me?”
Get curious.
What one thing could you change to make the goal more doable? Could you try it at a different time of day? Could you connect it to a routine you already do consistently? Could you make the goal smaller—perhaps even much smaller—just to get the habit started? Could you pair it with something you already enjoy, or stack it with an existing routine like Marie did?
Make your own list of curious questions. Brainstorm with a friend, family member, or coach.
Then approach your potential solution with the same curiosity.
Consider it an experiment, not a test.
Try it. See what happens.
How did it go? What worked? What didn’t? What small tweak might make it easier next time?
When something doesn’t work, you haven’t failed. You’ve simply gathered information that can help you decide what to try next.
Stay curious, keep experimenting, and you may be surprised to discover that the goal that once felt so elusive begins to feel much more manageable.
And each small step can move you closer to the healthy, active, fulfilling life you want to live.
Is There a Health Goal You Just Can’t Seem to Make Happen?
Maybe you know what you want to do but haven’t figured out how to make it work in your real life.
That’s where health and wellness coaching can help.
Together, we can get curious about what’s getting in the way, explore strategies that fit you, and find practical steps to help you move forward.
Ready to get curious?
