Our Essential Need for Novelty

As adults we can become caught by our responsibilities and slowly lose the zest for life

Habits and responsibilities are key to a productive and stable life, but without new experiences, we can lose our appreciation for this human experience. Olga Danylenko/Shutterstock

Have you ever wondered why “out of the ordinary” days stick with you the most? Maybe it was the day you met a lifelong friend, the moment you set your eyes on a beautiful landscape in a new country, or the birth of a child.

When we enjoy novel experiences such as these, research shows that our brains get a rush of dopamine, which lights up our pleasure center and makes us feel happy.