What is the hedonic treadmill?
Hedonic adaptation, also referred to as the hedonic treadmill, is a concept that was published by two psychologists in the early 1970's. The idea behind the hedonic treadmill is that no matter what happens in life to someone, their happiness will return to a baseline level after the event. Whether good or bad, life-changing or minor, the theory states that you will always go back to the level of happiness you were previously at. Essentially, our circumstances do not affect our happiness in the long-term. Rather, our core values, ideals, and beliefs do.
The fact that we revert back to our "set point" can either be looked at as a good thing or a bad thing. A good thing, because when you're in times of distress, …show more content…
Providing for your children, having the freedom to spend time away with loved ones, being able to donate to charities that you're passionate about...While these things are possible because of money, it's the value behind the motive that makes it meaningful. As long as your priorities are aligned with your values, happiness will follow. Real, genuine, long-term happiness.
What can I do about it?
Eliminate what is unnecessary in your life. Eliminate what isn't playing a direct role in helping you get where you want to go. Invest in experiences rather than assets. By practicing "under-indulgence," you will learn to better appreciate the things you have. Let's look at a very basic example. The less often you eat chocolate, the more you're going to enjoy it when you do. It's human nature. The same concept exists here.
It's vital to realize that your happiness is directly correlated to your internal motivations rather than external ones. Happiness does not lie in the new car, the promotion, the fancy house. Sure, these things will bring short-term happiness, but it's important to seek something more than that. Something deeper than that. Something more meaningful, more permanent, more
Hedonic adaptation, also referred to as the hedonic treadmill, is a concept that was published by two psychologists in the early 1970's. The idea behind the hedonic treadmill is that no matter what happens in life to someone, their happiness will return to a baseline level after the event. Whether good or bad, life-changing or minor, the theory states that you will always go back to the level of happiness you were previously at. Essentially, our circumstances do not affect our happiness in the long-term. Rather, our core values, ideals, and beliefs do.
The fact that we revert back to our "set point" can either be looked at as a good thing or a bad thing. A good thing, because when you're in times of distress, …show more content…
Providing for your children, having the freedom to spend time away with loved ones, being able to donate to charities that you're passionate about...While these things are possible because of money, it's the value behind the motive that makes it meaningful. As long as your priorities are aligned with your values, happiness will follow. Real, genuine, long-term happiness.
What can I do about it?
Eliminate what is unnecessary in your life. Eliminate what isn't playing a direct role in helping you get where you want to go. Invest in experiences rather than assets. By practicing "under-indulgence," you will learn to better appreciate the things you have. Let's look at a very basic example. The less often you eat chocolate, the more you're going to enjoy it when you do. It's human nature. The same concept exists here.
It's vital to realize that your happiness is directly correlated to your internal motivations rather than external ones. Happiness does not lie in the new car, the promotion, the fancy house. Sure, these things will bring short-term happiness, but it's important to seek something more than that. Something deeper than that. Something more meaningful, more permanent, more