The hedonic treadmill or hedonic adaptation is the theory that people will always return to a set level of happiness no matter what happens in their lives. For example, a person who wins the lottery may be happy with the fact that they have more money than they’ve ever had before, but they will return to the same general mood that they were in before once they get used to their new lifestyle. By the same token, someone who has suffered a grave misfortune such as the death of a loved one or an accident that has left them disabled may be miserable for a while, but their mood will improve over time as they settle into their new life.
Depending on who you are and the life you lead, the hedonic treadmill sounds like a depressing concept. You might feel better about your life if you get a better-paying job, start a new relationship, or buy something that you’ve always wanted but couldn’t afford before, but what’s the point if your newfound happiness doesn’t last? At its worst, the hedonic treadmill drives people to constantly spend more money and take greater and more dangerous risks.
So, now that we have an idea of what the hedonic treadmill is, can we avoid it? Some might argue that we cannot. Nothing lasts forever, and every emotion that we experience is fleeting. On the other hand, there are things that you can do to cut down the “treading water” feeling that you might be getting from life. First of all, you can make sure that your life includes several things that give you small pleasures such as having a cup of coffee in the morning or spending time with your friends. Plan for these small pleasures throughout the day or the week so you can look forward to them. That will make them all the more pleasurable.
Second of all, try to vary your pleasures. As much as you might enjoy eating your favorite food, it will start to taste kind of boring if you eat it all the time. Pay attention to what you truly enjoy and how often you enjoy them, and try to mix things up every so often.
Finally, find a hobby that you enjoy, preferably one that takes a lot of work. You may not get instant gratification when you sit down to write a story or draw a picture, but the feeling of accomplishment you feel when you’re done will be much more powerful.
Perhaps more than anything else, the key to avoiding the hedonic treadmill is to savor the things that bring you pleasure. Nothing lasts forever, so enjoy life while you can and never take anything for granted.
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