... also referred to as hedonic treadmill, is defined as "the observed tendency of humans to quickly return to a relatively stable level of happiness despite major positive or negative events or life changes"  - Positive Psychology Program.After a while, people become used to changes in their lives. The enjoyment or unhappiness that follows certain life events gradually wears off, returning each person to their "default" emotional state.
<h2></h2>

Hedonic Adaptation

Problem Solving

<ul><li>Shifting adaptation levels: When an individual experiences a slight emotional up or down, and then returns to his or her default level of happiness.</li><li>Desensitization: When an individual becomes desensitized to a circumstance or situation they no longer have the same reactions that another person might experience. </li><li>Sensitization: When an individual is sensitized to a certain situation, they get used to something that they were not previously accustomed to. </li></ul>

Elements of Hedonic Adaptation

Critics view the hedonic adaptation tendency as a generalization that fails to take potentially shifting factors into account.<ul><li>Significant life events such as loss of employment or the end of a major relationship can change one's original level of contentment.</li><li>Negative events are often more significant than positive ones. </li><li>Consuming certain medication may also alter the set level of happiness in a person who has mental illness or other clinical problems.</li></ul>

Hedonic Adaptation Critics

People become used to whatever changes are causing their increase in happiness. Over time, the initial excitement of the thing that happened wears off with a return to the "set level of happiness."Someone who undergoes a positive experience with desirable offshoots can shift their levels of expectation. It then becomes their new normal.

Reasonings behind hedonic adaptation

The process of hedonic adaptation can be minimized, if not eliminated.<ul><li>Uneventful everyday routines are the ultimate breeding ground for hedonic adaptation. Variety can help maintain and even increase the excitement and joy that accompanies positive life experiences.</li><li>Gratitude and appreciation for the blessings in one's life can also combat hedonic adaptation.</li></ul>

Combating Hedonic Adaptation

<div>
By <a href="https://www.betterhelp.com/advice/editorial_team/sarah-fader/">Sarah Fader </a>
Updated December 12, 2018
Reviewer <a href="https://www.betterhelp.com/advice/editorial_team/">Natalie Feinblatt</a>
<img src="https://dz9yg0snnohlc.cloudfront.net/new-the-psychology-of-hedonic-adaptation-and-what-you-should-know-about-it-1.jpg">Source: pxhere.com
Hedonic adaptation, also referred to as hedonic treadmill, is as "the observed tendency of humans to quickly return to a relatively stable level of happiness despite major positive or negative events or life changes." This theory alleges that human beings possess a specific "set level of happiness" and no matter what happens to us, good or bad, we will always return to our original state or "set level of happiness," as stated by . <a href="https://positivepsychologyprogram.com/hedonic-treadmill/">Positive Psychology Program </a> 
<h2>A Thorough Examination Of Hedonic Adaptation</h2>
The hedonic adaptation maintains that over time, people become used to certain changes in their lives. The excitement or unhappiness that follows certain life events is believed to wear off over time, thus returning each person to their "default" emotional state. <a href="https://www.behavioraleconomics.com/mini-encyclopedia-of-be/hedonic-adaptation/">Behavioral Economics</a> moreover states that due to each person's "baseline" (or set level) of happiness, less eventful experiences have more of an impact on one's emotional state, rather than extreme life occurrences, be they for better or for worse.
<h3>Dissecting The Process Of Hedonic Adaptation</h3>
Although hedonic adaptation may appear simplistic, it is more complex than some people might realize. The tendency contains three elements: shifting adaptation levels, desensitization, and sensitization. Each of the elements above plays a key role in hedonic adaptation.
Shifting adaptation levels are when the individual at hand experiences a slight emotional high or low, and then returns to his or her default "set level of happiness." However, whenever the person is exposed to the situation which prompted their emotional increase or decrease, they will still experience the same high or low.
This phenomenon can be explained in this example. Imagine a freelance writer who pours her heart and soul into her career and is always working to get new clients. When a new client hires the writer, she experiences a surge of joy and pleasure. This is an excellent step forward in her career, and her income will increase as a result.
Even though securing the new client brought her joy, over time, the high level of excitement wears off, and the writer reverts to her "baseline of happiness" as she completes the work assigned to her. However, when she secures yet another new client, the freelance writer experiences the same joyful sensation as before. This is the epitome of how shifting adaptation levels operate within hedonic adaptation.
Next comes desensitization. As the old saying goes, too much of a good (or bad) thing is never good. When an individual becomes desensitized to a circumstance or situation, they no longer have the same outlook or reactions that another person might experience. Habitual exposure to something often breeds desensitization and more often than not, this state of being is frowned upon.
A person who frequently lives in filth or squalor may become desensitized to crime, bug infestations, or other unclean accommodations. Meanwhile, an individual who is used to cleanliness would be repulsed and appalled by the living above conditions. In most cases, desensitization is rarely to be desired.
<img src="https://dz9yg0snnohlc.cloudfront.net/new-the-psychology-of-hedonic-adaptation-and-what-you-should-know-about-it-2.jpg">Source: unsplash.com
Last but not least of the three hedonic adaptation elements is sensitization. In many ways, this state of being is the polar opposite of desensitization. When an individual is sensitized to a certain situation, they have notable emotional increases or decreases. Sensitization, in layman's terms, means getting used to something that one was not previously accustomed to. At its worst, sensitization can become conditioning, although in many cases, sensitization is not negative. Every living person has become sensitized to a certain situation or occurrence whether they realize it or not. 
For instance, think of a hypothetical person who is used to earning $50,000 on an annual basis. Now imagine that their income increases by ten times that amount and the same individual now earns $500,000 per year. Naturally, he or she will have to become used to (or sensitized) to such a considerable income upsurge. This person who is ten times richer may now begin to look at investing, depositing more money into savings, and perhaps upgrading their lifestyle. Regardless of the decisions they make as a result of being ten times wealthier, sensitization to such a considerable income increase is inevitable. 
<h4>Controversy Surrounding Hedonic Adaptation</h4>
While many people remain convinced of the accuracy of hedonic adaptation, the claimed tendency is not without controversy or skeptics. The skepticism is engendered by the claim that human beings will always return to their original "set level of happiness." However, according to affirm significant life events such as loss of employment, the end of a major relationship, etc. can alter what was once one's original "baseline" of contentment. 
Additional research studies have also found that negative occurrences are often more impactful than positive ones. However, whether one returns to their default state of happiness often depends on the individual. Critics of hedonic adaptation view the tendency as a blatant generalization which fails to take potentially shifting factors into account. 
For instance, a person who has mental illness or other clinical problems may experience an alteration in their set level of happiness after consuming certain medication or going through various therapeutic forms of treatment. Ultimately, there are instances which both prove and disprove the theory of hedonic adaptation. 
<h2>Psychological Reasonings Behind Hedonic Adaptation</h2>
Upon understanding exactly what hedonic adaptation is and all that it entails, follow-up questions are bound to follow. Why don't people remain ecstatic after certain monumental occurrences? What prompts people to return to the theorized "baseline" state of happiness? What are the psychological origins of hedonic adaptation? 
<img src="https://dz9yg0snnohlc.cloudfront.net/new-the-psychology-of-hedonic-adaptation-and-what-you-should-know-about-it-3.jpg">Source: pixabay.com
Thankfully, <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-science-success/201208/how-keep-happiness-fading">Psychology Today</a> has some plausible answers to the preceding inquiries. The first explanation for the reasoning behind hedonic adaptation states that people simply become adapted to whatever changes are causing their burst of excitement or increase in happiness. Over time, the initial ecstasy over the "newness" of the great thing that has occurred wears off, hence the return to one's "set the level of happiness." This is also a form of sensitization, one of the elements above of hedonic adaptation.
In many cases, someone who undergoes a positive experience with desirable offshoots, may, in turn, become used to those circumstances. This is an ironically more positive form of desensitization. Psychology Today states that as individuals become accustomed to a better quality of life or nicer material things (be it a new house, new car, etc.), their levels of expectation shift and it becomes their new normal. The same person who went from earning $50,000 annually to now earning $500,000 annually may now wish to earn $1,000,000 each year. When a person "upgrades" in one form or another, their standards "shift upward" and they feel compelled to strive for better. Psychologically, the desensitization to a higher quality of life becomes the new normal, hence the return to one's default emotional state.
<h3>Combating Hedonic Adaptation</h3>
While sensitization and desensitization are key elements of hedonic adaptation, Psychology Today affirms that this process can be minimized, if not terminated altogether. "Variety" or the ability to "switch things up" can work wonders as people work to maintain and even increase the innate excitement and joy that accompanies positive life experiences, such as a new marriage, a promotion at work, or an increase in economic capital.
<img src="https://dz9yg0snnohlc.cloudfront.net/new-the-psychology-of-hedonic-adaptation-and-what-you-should-know-about-it-4.jpg">Source: unsplash.com
Unexciting, uneventful everyday routines are happiness killers which provide the ultimate breeding ground for hedonic adaptation. Switching things up, be it going to a new restaurant or traveling to a new city, can help individuals surge levels of happiness as opposed to returning to their original "baseline" emotional state.
Psychology Today also affirms that displaying a sense of gratitude and appreciation for the blessings in one's life can also combat hedonic adaptation. Many people are constantly in search of new things to bring them joy, rather than giving thanks for what is already before them. Sometimes, remembering how fortunate one is and being appreciative of such can preserve happiness. The decision to take things for granted is a common trap that many people fall into, and unfortunately, it often leads to hedonic adaptation.
A Final Word Hedonic adaptation is an intriguing process that does frequently manifest itself in many cases. While the ability to return to a default emotional state following a negative experience can be beneficial, doing so after a positive event can feel like somewhat of an emotional letdown. Thankfully, the strategies above provided by Psychology Today can help people as they work to maintain and increase their levels of happiness.
While pursuing variety in life and being thankful for one's current opportunities and circumstances can breed and preserve happiness, sometimes sitting down and talking to someone can make a world of difference as well. Each of us is in one stage of life or another and, at times, we all need someone to talk with. Ultimately, the choice is yours, but if you ever feel the inclination to reach out to BetterHelp for any reason, be it to talk, obtain advice, etc., please do not hesitate. You can get in contact with us now by clicking <a href="https://www.betterhelp.com/../start/">here</a>.
</div>

By Sarah Fader Updated December 12, 2018 Reviewer Natalie Feinblatt Source: pxhere.com Hedonic adaptation, also referred to as hedonic treadmill, is as "the observed tendency of humans to quickly return to a relatively stable level of happiness despite major positive or negative events or life changes."

By <a href="https://www.betterhelp.com/advice/editorial_team/sarah-fader/">Sarah Fader </a> Updated December 12, 2018 Reviewer <a href="https://www.betterhelp.com/advice/editorial_team/">Natalie Feinblatt </a> Source: pxhere.com Hedonic adaptation, also referred to as hedonic treadmill, is as "the observed tendency of humans to quickly return to a relatively stable level of happiness despite major positive or negative events or life changes." This theory alleges that human beings possess a specific "set level of happiness" and no matter what happens to us, good or bad, we will always return to our original state or "set level of happiness," as stated by . <a href="https://positivepsychologyprogram.com/hedonic-treadmill/">Positive Psychology Program </a>

A Thorough Examination Of Hedonic Adaptation

The hedonic adaptation maintains that over time, people become used to certain changes in their lives. The excitement or unhappiness that follows certain life events is believed to wear off over time, thus returning each person to their "default" emotional state. <a href="https://www.behavioraleconomics.com/mini-encyclopedia-of-be/hedonic-adaptation/">Behavioral Economics </a>moreover states that due to each person's "baseline" (or set level) of happiness, less eventful experiences have more of an impact on one's emotional state, rather than extreme life occurrences, be they for better or for worse.

Dissecting The Process Of Hedonic Adaptation

Although hedonic adaptation may appear simplistic, it is more complex than some people might realize. The tendency contains three elements: shifting adaptation levels, desensitization, and sensitization. Each of the elements above plays a key role in hedonic adaptation. Shifting adaptation levels are when the individual at hand experiences a slight emotional high or low, and then returns to his or her default "set level of happiness." However, whenever the person is exposed to the situation which prompted their emotional increase or decrease, they will still experience the same high or low.

This phenomenon can be explained in this example. Imagine a freelance writer who pours her heart and soul into her career and is always working to get new clients. When a new client hires the writer, she experiences a surge of joy and pleasure. This is an excellent step forward in her career, and her income will increase as a result.

Even though securing the new client brought her joy, over time, the high level of excitement wears off, and the writer reverts to her "baseline of happiness" as she completes the work assigned to her. However, when she secures yet another new client, the freelance writer experiences the same joyful sensation as before. This is the epitome of how shifting adaptation levels operate within hedonic adaptation.

Next comes desensitization. As the old saying goes, too much of a good (or bad) thing is never good. When an individual becomes desensitized to a circumstance or situation, they no longer have the same outlook or reactions that another person might experience. Habitual exposure to something often breeds desensitization and more often than not, this state of being is frowned upon.

A person who frequently lives in filth or squalor may become desensitized to crime, bug infestations, or other unclean accommodations. Meanwhile, an individual who is used to cleanliness would be repulsed and appalled by the living above conditions. In most cases, desensitization is rarely to be desired.

Source: unsplash.com Last but not least of the three hedonic adaptation elements is sensitization. In many ways, this state of being is the polar opposite of desensitization. When an individual is sensitized to a certain situation, they have notable emotional increases or decreases. Sensitization, in layman's terms, means getting used to something that one was not previously accustomed to. At its worst, sensitization can become conditioning, although in many cases, sensitization is not negative. Every living person has become sensitized to a certain situation or occurrence whether they realize it or not.

For instance, think of a hypothetical person who is used to earning $50,000 on an annual basis. Now imagine that their income increases by ten times that amount and the same individual now earns $500,000 per year. Naturally, he or she will have to become used to (or sensitized) to such a considerable income upsurge. This person who is ten times richer may now begin to look at investing, depositing more money into savings, and perhaps upgrading their lifestyle. Regardless of the decisions they make as a result of being ten times wealthier, sensitization to such a considerable income increase is inevitable.

While many people remain convinced of the accuracy of hedonic adaptation, the claimed tendency is not without controversy or skeptics. The skepticism is engendered by the claim that human beings will always return to their original "set level of happiness." However, according to affirm significant life events such as loss of employment, the end of a major relationship, etc. can alter what was once one's original "baseline" of contentment.

Additional research studies have also found that negative occurrences are often more impactful than positive ones. However, whether one returns to their default state of happiness often depends on the individual. Critics of hedonic adaptation view the tendency as a blatant generalization which fails to take potentially shifting factors into account.

For instance, a person who has mental illness or other clinical problems may experience an alteration in their set level of happiness after consuming certain medication or going through various therapeutic forms of treatment. Ultimately, there are instances which both prove and disprove the theory of hedonic adaptation.

Psychological Reasonings Behind Hedonic Adaptation

Upon understanding exactly what hedonic adaptation is and all that it entails, follow-up questions are bound to follow. Why don't people remain ecstatic after certain monumental occurrences? What prompts people to return to the theorized "baseline" state of happiness? What are the psychological origins of hedonic adaptation?

Source: pixabay.com Thankfully, <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-science-success/201208/how-keep-happiness-fading">Psychology Today </a>has some plausible answers to the preceding inquiries. The first explanation for the reasoning behind hedonic adaptation states that people simply become adapted to whatever changes are causing their burst of excitement or increase in happiness. Over time, the initial ecstasy over the "newness" of the great thing that has occurred wears off, hence the return to one's "set the level of happiness." This is also a form of sensitization, one of the elements above of hedonic adaptation.

In many cases, someone who undergoes a positive experience with desirable offshoots, may, in turn, become used to those circumstances. This is an ironically more positive form of desensitization. Psychology Today states that as individuals become accustomed to a better quality of life or nicer material things (be it a new house, new car, etc.), their levels of expectation shift and it becomes their new normal. The same person who went from earning $50,000 annually to now earning $500,000 annually may now wish to earn $1,000,000 each year. When a person "upgrades" in one form or another, their standards "shift upward" and they feel compelled to strive for better. Psychologically, the desensitization to a higher quality of life becomes the new normal, hence the return to one's default emotional state.

While sensitization and desensitization are key elements of hedonic adaptation, Psychology Today affirms that this process can be minimized, if not terminated altogether. "Variety" or the ability to "switch things up" can work wonders as people work to maintain and even increase the innate excitement and joy that accompanies positive life experiences, such as a new marriage, a promotion at work, or an increase in economic capital.

Source: unsplash.com Unexciting, uneventful everyday routines are happiness killers which provide the ultimate breeding ground for hedonic adaptation. Switching things up, be it going to a new restaurant or traveling to a new city, can help individuals surge levels of happiness as opposed to returning to their original "baseline" emotional state.

Psychology Today also affirms that displaying a sense of gratitude and appreciation for the blessings in one's life can also combat hedonic adaptation. Many people are constantly in search of new things to bring them joy, rather than giving thanks for what is already before them. Sometimes, remembering how fortunate one is and being appreciative of such can preserve happiness. The decision to take things for granted is a common trap that many people fall into, and unfortunately, it often leads to hedonic adaptation.

Hedonic adaptation is an intriguing process that does frequently manifest itself in many cases. While the ability to return to a default emotional state following a negative experience can be beneficial, doing so after a positive event can feel like somewhat of an emotional letdown. Thankfully, the strategies above provided by Psychology Today can help people as they work to maintain and increase their levels of happiness.

While pursuing variety in life and being thankful for one's current opportunities and circumstances can breed and preserve happiness, sometimes sitting down and talking to someone can make a world of difference as well. Each of us is in one stage of life or another and, at times, we all need someone to talk with. Ultimately, the choice is yours, but if you ever feel the inclination to reach out to BetterHelp for any reason, be it to talk, obtain advice, etc., please do not hesitate. You can get in contact with us now by clicking <a href="https://www.betterhelp.com/../start/">here </a>.

Bite-sized knowledge
to upgrade
your career

The Psychology Of Hedonic Adaptation

Hedonic Adaptation

Elements of Hedonic Adaptation

Hedonic Adaptation Critics

Reasonings behind hedonic adaptation

Combating Hedonic Adaptation

IDEAS ABOUT

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Hedonic Adaptation

How Hedonic Adaptation Robs You of Happiness-and How to Change That

How Do Psychologists Define Happiness?

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Bite-sized knowledgeto upgradeyour career

The Psychology Of Hedonic Adaptation

Hedonic Adaptation

Elements of Hedonic Adaptation

Hedonic Adaptation Critics

Reasonings behind hedonic adaptation

Combating Hedonic Adaptation

IDEAS ABOUT

MORE LIKE THIS

Hedonic Adaptation

How Hedonic Adaptation Robs You of Happiness-and How to Change That

How Do Psychologists Define Happiness?

It's time to

READ

LIKE

A PRO!

Bite-sized knowledge
to upgrade
your career