Our next fortnightly wellbeing theme is curiosity. Cultivating healthy curiosity can encourage fresh learning and thinking, encourage personal growth and in many ways boost our mental health and wellbeing.

The classification of 24 character strengths is the result of several years for research involving more than 50 scientists, led by Christopher Peterson and Martin Seligman. The research extended across countries and cultures for those qualities that are universally considered to be the strongest part of being human.

Curiosity is a character strength that is grouped under the virtue of “wisdom”. Wisdom describes strengths that help you gather and use knowledge.

Curiosity is defined as having a strong desire to learn or know something. People who are curious often don't "need" the information they inquire about. They seek answers to their questions for the sake of gaining knowledge. Those who are curious may also actively seek out challenges and new experiences to broaden their horizons.

Curiosity is often described as being open to a new experience and is associated with the natural desire to build knowledge. Some find it fulfilling to work towards an answer, to engage in a new experience, or to learn a new fact.

The eight habits of people who retain their sense of curiosity are:

• listening without judgment
• asking lots of questions
• seeking surprise
• being fully present
• being willing to be wrong
• making time for curiosity
• not being afraid to say, “I don't know.”

Eight Attributes of Curiosity by Stephanie Vozza

A curious person will ask questions, learn from others and look for ways to do it better. She will be lively and energetic.

Curiosity is important as it prepares the brain for learning. If interest in a topic is stimulated by the teacher, a student will be motivated to learn even when she might usually consider a topic boring or difficult. 

"I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious." Albert Einstein