The new year often stirs up both excitement and dread. On one hand, it feels like a fresh start; on the other, the pressure of resolutions and expectations can spark anxiety. Neuroscience shows that these two states — curiosity and anxiety — actually compete in the brain. Why? - Anxiety is driven by the brain’s threat system (the amygdala), which narrows focus, heightens vigilance, and makes us risk-averse. - Curiosity, by contrast, lights up the brain’s reward system (dopamine pathways and the hippocampus). When we’re curious, our brain releases dopamine, which reduces fear, sharpens memory, and makes learning more enjoyable. In other words: anxiety contracts your world, curiosity expands it. Psychologists also note that curiosity and play are linked. Play lowers cortisol (the stress hormone), while curiosity engages the prefrontal cortex — the part of the brain that supports flexible thinking, problem-solving, and creativity. This is why children learn best through play, and why adults who cultivate curiosity report greater resilience, lower stress, and higher life satisfaction. So as we step into January, the challenge is not to set rigid resolutions, but to practice a different mental stance: swap anxiety for curiosity. Instead of asking “What if I fail?”, try “What could I discover?” Instead of demanding certainty, experiment with wonder. Instead of trying to control outcomes, give yourself permission to explore. Goal for the month: Approach the new year with curiosity rather than anxiety — training yourself to stay open, playful, and creative even in the face of uncertainty.