The Benefits of Browsing

Cultivate curiosity for a long and healthy life

Last December, Andrea and I were invited to a friend’s evening book signing at Vroman’s, California's largest independently owned bookstore, a beloved Pasadena institution that is near and dear to my heart. As an Art Center College of Design student in the 1980s, I fondly remember countless hours perusing the oversized art and design books, especially the sale finds relegated to the stuffy, musty second floor.

Over the decades, the store has evolved from a slightly tired storefront selling greeting cards and books into a venerable establishment featuring flawlessly merchandised specialty gift items woven throughout an extensive collection of books over two expansive floors; a lively coffee, wine, and beer bar; and a community watering hole hosting events for adults and children, such as the book signing we were attending.

We hadn’t been to Vroman’s in ages, so I was really looking forward to going, even though the event would extend way past my bedtime. I’m not a shopper by nature, (I find it exhausting) and the convenience of online shopping—which has had the unintended effect of shuttering many of these treasured stores—has fortunately or unfortunately enabled me to rarely step foot in a store.

In December, we knew the store would be full of Christmas gift ideas and decorations, so we decided to arrive early to wander around and soak it all in. It was a feast for the eyes and spirit. I felt like a pinball pinging from one delightful display table to the next.

While driving home, Andrea and I talked about what fun it was to be in that environment again. (Clearly, we don’t get out often!) The evening made me realize how much I miss the simple pleasure of browsing and the joy of discovery. So, on a whim, I decided to go back the following week to look for Andrea’s Christmas gift. We typically exchange books, but with 10 days to go, I was empty-handed and fresh out of ideas. I decided to head to the biography section and allowed myself the rare opportunity to take a breath and stare at the book covers.

Hmmmm. I looked, and looked, and looked…and then, just when I was ready to exit biographies, I turned around to scan the shelves behind me, and my eyes rested on a lone doorstop of a book. There it was. “Washington: A Life.” The Pulitzer Prize-winning biographical tome about Andrea’s favorite president and American hero. I was sure he would love it.

I left relieved and quite proud of myself for finally finding his Christmas gift. As I drove home, it occurred to me that if I had been scrolling through a screen rather than browsing in the store, I wouldn’t have thought of that book on my own. While an algorithmically curated life is lazily convenient, there is a whole world of information, insights, and interests beyond the “recommended for you” lists.

Stay curious for a long life.
It brought to mind the words of wisdom a dear friend relayed about her centenarian Aunt Betty’s secret to a long life: stay curious. As you know, I spend much of my free time ferreting out and gaining knowledge about health, wellness, and longevity. I study the elderly people in my life (and devote time to self-reflection) to learn what works and what doesn’t. The more curious I become about longevity, the more I see how much curiosity itself belongs on my priority list!

Being curious means that your mind is open to exploring, learning, and discovering, which has tangible physiological results as well as intangible impacts on longevity. Scores of studies and articles conclude that curiosity is associated with maintaining a healthy central nervous system, improving cognitive function, creating strong social bonds, and strengthening emotional resilience.

Brain health
Curiosity encourages learning, which keeps the brain active and creates and strengthens the connections between neurons, building neuroplasticity. Even visiting different environments, taking a different route, or being exposed to new information go a long way toward firing the synapses.

This has two main benefits. First, critical overall cognitive, memory, and executive functioning is preserved, staving off the dreaded decline and dementia. Second, and equally important, neuroplasticity enables the brain to change and adjust to new stimuli or environments more readily. Having been very close to a handful of elderly people, I can say without a doubt those who were open to new ideas and change were both healthier and happier as they aged.

Social connections
Following your curiosity often leads to interacting with people, strengthening crucial social bonds that support well-being. These social connections and interactions can be very enjoyable and lead to new opportunities and experiences, lowering stress and creating a more optimistic outlook on life.

Cultivating curiosity
My holiday experience at Vroman's reopened my eyes to the beauty of browsing through a calm yet stimulating environment, rich with new information and revelatory surprises. Something I instinctually knew as a student and young adult but forgot about as I got older, busier, more stressed, and less patient.

While a cozy bookstore isn’t the only pathway to cultivating curiosity, it's a great place to discover new information and interests. Perhaps this leads to exploring a new hobby, taking classes, attending a lecture, or inspiring travel. When Andrea and I were first married, we frequented a beautifully designed travel store, Distant Lands, with racks of maps, floor-to-ceiling books, romantic posters, and all things travel. Inevitably, we would leave with a new destination to add to our growing list of places we were excited to visit, and with Andrea reciting these words from the Robert Service poem, The Rolling Stone:

To scorn all strife and view all life with curious eyes of a child.
From the plangent sea to the prairie.
From the slum to the heart of the wild.
From the red rimmed star to the speck of sand,
From the vast to the greatly small
For I know that the whole for the good is planned
And I want to see it all.

The art of discovery
On one of our recent daily walks, I told Andrea I’d like to continue to go to Vroman’s every once in a while to hang out, browse the various title sections, camp out in a cozy chair and flip through a coffee table book, and otherwise explore, discover, and learn. We plan to make a lunch date out of it and grab a bite along the way.

Go to a museum. Stroll a quaint street. Hike a new trail. Get out, change your environment, see something new, and walk in the midday sun. Any stimulating, thought-provoking, discussion-worthy outing can help you cultivate an open mind. Staying curious and remaining receptive to new ideas and perspectives is a delightful path to wander in our journey to live well, age great.

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