The Hedonic Treadmill is the idea that no matter what good or bad things happen in your life, your overall happiness tends to stay the same over time.

Example: Imagine you buy a new smartphone. At first, you're super excited and happy about it. But after a few weeks, you get used to it, and that excitement fades. You might start wanting the latest model or another gadget to feel that rush again.

So, even though you have this nice new phone, your happiness level goes back to where it was before. It's like running on a treadmill—you might feel like you're getting somewhere, but you end up in the same spot emotionally. This can happen with other things too, like getting a new job, moving to a new place, or achieving a personal goal. After the initial excitement, your happiness levels usually return to what they were before

The Hedonic Treadmill is a psychological concept that illustrates how individuals adapt to changes in their circumstances, both positive and negative, leading to a relatively stable level of overall happiness over time. This phenomenon suggests that people have a baseline level of happiness that they tend to revert to after experiencing significant life events, such as acquiring new possessions or achieving goals.

Key Principles Related to the Hedonic Treadmill:

1. Adaptation Theory: The Hedonic Treadmill is closely linked to adaptation theory, which posits that individuals quickly become accustomed to new experiences and stimuli. This concept was explored by Brickman and Campbell (1971) in their work on the "hedonic adaptation," where they noted that individuals often return to their baseline happiness levels after positive or negative changes.
2. Set-Point Theory: The idea of a "happiness set-point" suggests that each person has a stable level of happiness determined by genetics and personality traits. According to research by Lyubomirsky et al. (2005), about 50% of happiness is genetically determined, while the remaining percentage is influenced by life circumstances and intentional activities. The Hedonic Treadmill illustrates how people oscillate around this set-point despite external changes.
3. Temporal Dissonance: The Hedonic Treadmill can also be understood in terms of temporal dissonance, where the emotional impact of life events diminishes over time. Events that initially cause significant joy (like winning the lottery) or sadness (like losing a loved one) gradually lose their emotional intensity, leading to a return to baseline happiness levels. This principle was elaborated on in the works of Wilson and Gilbert (2005), who examined how people often overestimate the long-term impact of life events on their happiness.
4. Positive Psychology: The Hedonic Treadmill is a crucial consideration in the field of positive psychology, which focuses on the study of human flourishing and well-being. Researchers such as Martin Seligman have emphasized the importance of intentional activities (e.g., practicing gratitude or fostering social connections) in enhancing well-being. These activities can help counteract the effects of the Hedonic Treadmill by promoting sustainable happiness that extends beyond material or situational changes.
5. The Paradox of Choice: The Hedonic Treadmill also relates to the paradox of choice, as outlined by Barry Schwartz. The idea is that having too many options can lead to anxiety and dissatisfaction, preventing people from achieving lasting happiness. When individuals continuously seek new options or experiences for happiness, they may find themselves on a never-ending cycle of desire and disappointment, reinforcing the Hedonic Treadmill effect.

Understanding the Hedonic Treadmill has profound implications for personal well-being and happiness. It suggests that pursuing external achievements or possessions may not lead to lasting happiness. Instead, fostering meaningful relationships, practicing gratitude, and engaging in activities that promote personal growth can help individuals break free from the treadmill and enhance their overall happiness.

References

• Brickman, P., & Campbell, D. (1971). Hedonic Relativism and Planning the Good Society. In M. H. Appley (Ed.), Adaptation-Level Theory: A Symposium. Academic Press.
• Lyubomirsky, S., Sheldon, K. M., & Schkade, D. (2005). Pursuing Happiness: The Architecture of Sustainable Change. Review of General Psychology, 9(2), 111-131.
• Wilson, T. D., & Gilbert, D. T. (2005). Affective Forecasting: Knowing What to Want. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 14(3), 131-134.
• Seligman, M. E. P. (2002). Authentic Happiness: Using the New Positive Psychology to Realize Your Potential for Lasting Fulfillment. Free Press.
• Schwartz, B. (2004). The Paradox of Choice: Why More Is Less. HarperCollins.