Cultivating Healthy Curiosity, with Melanie Greenberg

"Curiosity is many things – a personality trait, but also an important inner resource that anybody can develop with practice and focus.  It can motivate us to try new experiences or learn new things and fill us with joyful anticipation about what we are about to discover. It can open our minds to creativity, and open our hearts to new friendships and relationships.  Research shows more curious people have healthier, happier and more fulfilling lives.  Why is this so, and how can we embrace and grow our inner curiosity?

Babies are born with natural curiosity. They eagerly explore their environments as they learn to crawl, walk, speak, and play. Watching their faces, we see gurgles of pleasure, laughter and surprise. As we get older, we become more fearful of change and new experiences. Our fear-focused brains get stuck in trying to avoid repetitions of past, emotionally painful experiences and, in so doing, deny us the pleasure of new experiences, or experiencing familiar things in new ways.

Curiosity involves some risk, some struggle, and some stretching of yourself beyond your limits, but the rewards are well worth it. You will increase your skills and confidence, gain new knowledge, and form new relationships that could open up new opportunities in your life." -says Melanie Greenberg, Ph.D.

Melanie Greenberg, Ph.D., is a clinical and health psychologist with a private practice in Mill Valley, CA.  She also has an academic and research background and provides workshops for the public and health professionals. She helps clients and providers address the effects of life stress on relationships, self-care, health, career, and parenting. Dr Greenberg applies her knowledge of Cognitive-Behavior Therapy, Mindfulness, and Affect Regulation to promote growth and resilience.

Join Luciana and Melanie while the unravel together different ways to cultivate healthy curiosity!