Hedonic adaptation, also known as the "hedonic treadmill," is a fascinating psychological concept. It explains why our happiness levels tend to stay relatively constant, regardless of significant changes in our circumstances. Whether life improves dramatically or takes a turn for the worse, our emotional state tends to return to its baseline after a short period. This process helps protect us from experiencing extreme emotional fluctuations in response to every life event. In this article, we’ll explore how hedonic adaptation works and what it means for our quest for lasting happiness.

What is Hedonic Adaptation?

Hedonic adaptation refers to the process by which our emotional response to changes in life—both positive and negative—tends to diminish over time. If you experience a significant gain, such as winning the lottery or receiving a large salary increase, your happiness spikes temporarily, but soon you adapt to the new situation, and your level of happiness returns to its previous state. Similarly, if you face hardship or loss, the initial emotional turmoil eventually settles, and you return to your baseline level of happiness.

Hedonic adaptation helps us maintain emotional equilibrium by reducing the intensity of our responses to both positive and negative experiences. Without it, we would be at the mercy of external circumstances, constantly shifting between extreme joy and despair. Hedonic adaptation acts as a stabilizing force, ensuring that we can cope with both success and failure in a balanced way.

The Connection Between Subjective Well-Being and Hedonic Adaptation

Subjective well-being (SWB) is the ability to feel content with your life as it is, regardless of external factors. It encompasses life satisfaction, positive affect, and low negative affect. It’s not about achieving a particular goal or acquiring material possessions; it’s about being able to find joy and satisfaction in the present moment, even if things aren’t perfect. Hedonic adaptation plays a crucial role in fostering subjective well-being, as it helps us maintain emotional stability when faced with external changes.

For example, a person who faces a major life change, such as moving to a new city or getting a new job, may feel initial excitement. However, over time, their emotional response adapts, and the excitement fades. This process helps them stay grounded, preventing extreme emotional highs and lows. Hedonic adaptation allows us to maintain a sense of inner peace, even when our external world shifts dramatically.

The Science Behind Hedonic Adaptation

Psychologist Philip Brickman and his colleagues conducted studies on lottery winners and people who had lost the ability to walk, finding a common pattern in their emotional responses. Both groups initially experienced a significant emotional reaction—winners felt elated, while those who became disabled felt despair. But after a period of time, both groups’ happiness levels returned to where they were before the event.

The same principle applies to positive changes like getting a raise or buying a new car. Positive changes like a raise or a new car initially bring a surge of happiness, but this feeling diminishes as we adapt to the new circumstances. This is a natural part of hedonic adaptation: our minds gradually get used to changes, and what once seemed extraordinary becomes ordinary.

The Cycle of Adaptation and Wanting More

When a person experiences a positive change—such as an increase in salary—the initial response is a peak of happiness. This is followed by an adaptation phase, where the excitement begins to wear off as the person gets used to their new reality. Eventually, they reach a steady state of contentment. This is then often followed by the pursuit of new sources of pleasure or satisfaction. This cycle of adaptation and the subsequent pursuit of new sources of pleasure or satisfaction is the core of the hedonic treadmill.

This phenomenon explains why people who achieve a major goal or acquire material wealth often find themselves wanting more, even after reaching what they once thought was the pinnacle of happiness. For instance, someone who lived on a modest salary of 20,000 rubles a month might experience immense joy when their income increases to 70,000 rubles. However, after a while, that 70,000 rubles becomes the new normal, and they may begin to feel discontent again. This cycle of adaptation and the subsequent pursuit of new sources of pleasure or satisfaction is the core of the hedonic treadmill.

Material Goods Don’t Lead to Lasting Subjective Well-Being

Hedonic adaptation makes it clear that material possessions and achievements don’t bring lasting subjective well-being. While they may provide temporary pleasure, the excitement quickly fades, and we return to our baseline emotional state. A car, a new home, or a fancy vacation can bring short-term satisfaction, but they don’t guarantee long-term happiness.

The concept of sufficiency is key here. Having enough to meet your basic needs and enjoy a comfortable life is important, but constantly striving for more—whether it's a bigger house, a newer car, or more money—won’t necessarily make you any happier in the long run. The pursuit of material goods can lead to a cycle of dissatisfaction, where you’re always seeking the next thing without ever feeling truly fulfilled.

Take the example of the Roman Emperor Nero, who spent his life building a golden palace. Despite his wealth and grandeur, his baseline level of happiness likely remained relatively constant despite his extravagant possessions, demonstrating the effects of hedonic adaptation. He continued to chase luxury and excess, but it didn’t bring him true contentment. This is a stark reminder that the constant pursuit of external success can leave us feeling empty if we don’t cultivate inner happiness.

Focusing on the Future vs. Present Enjoyment

Hedonic adaptation works in the opposite direction as well. People often experience loss aversion, fearing losing what they have, whether it’s a job, a relationship, or financial stability. While fear of loss is a powerful motivator, it's important to distinguish it from hedonic adaptation, which describes how we adapt *after* a loss occurs. This fear often leads to a focus on achieving future goals at the expense of present enjoyment.

Many people think that if they earn more money, find the perfect partner, or buy a bigger house, then they will finally feel happy. But hedonic adaptation tells us that no matter what we achieve, our happiness will eventually return to the baseline. If subjective well-being is lacking, no amount of external change will bring lasting satisfaction.

True Subjective Well-Being Comes from Within

To break free from the cycle of hedonic adaptation, it’s essential to focus on developing subjective well-being. This means accepting where you are in life, appreciating what you have, and focusing on what truly matters. Rather than constantly chasing material goods or external validation, prioritize self-growth, meaningful relationships, and experiences that bring you joy. Research suggests that experiential purchases tend to lead to greater and longer-lasting happiness than material purchases because they are more resistant to hedonic adaptation.

Engage in activities that promote emotional well-being, such as reading, learning new skills, traveling, and spending quality time with loved ones. These activities help you build a sense of fulfillment that doesn’t rely on external circumstances. By shifting your focus away from external achievements and towards inner growth, you can create a stable foundation for lasting happiness.

Conclusion

Hedonic adaptation is a natural part of the human experience, helping us stay emotionally resilient despite life’s ups and downs. While material possessions and external achievements can provide temporary pleasure, true happiness—subjective well-being—comes from within. By understanding how hedonic adaptation works and focusing on cultivating subjective well-being, we can break free from the cycle of constant desire and find greater satisfaction in our everyday lives.