Hedonic adaption how to#

Investing (either financially or in terms of time) in varied experiences which elicit happiness Appreciation.

Deriving varied positive emotions from the experience of the same stimuli, including pride, contentment, satisfaction, excitement, love, etc.

Experiencing the same event in varied ways, by implementing it in our routine or practicing variations of the similar positive behavior such as acts of kindness.

Variety can be efficiently introduced in the following ways:

This is due to the repeated exposure to the same stimuli, such as a new purchase, an achievement, selection, etc. Research has shown that getting used to the positive emotions derived from an experience or event results in adaptation. Sheldon (2012) expresses, “variety and surprise spice up life in ways that sustain well-being.”

Hedonic adaption how to#

Hedonic Adaptation Prevention Model (Fritz, Walsh & Lyubomirsky, 2017) How to Implement Variety and Appreciation? Variety One such model to thwart hedonic adaptation is the Hedonic Adaptation Prevention (HAP) Model, which focuses on two aspects: variety and appreciation, and has been explained in the figure below.įigure 1. An essential idea reflected in these studies is that merely inculcating positive changes in our lives is not enough to achieve sustained levels of happiness, rather the challenge is to sustain this happiness instead of getting used to it. Researchers studying happiness and well-being have looked at various ways to thwart hedonic adaptation and to ensure sustained experiences of happiness. Even though such mechanisms might motivate us to strive for better, yet, they can intervene with and even reduce the positive emotions as a result of our achievements. Additionally, these events fail to sustain happiness as our focus shifts on aspiring for more, or doing even better than before, without experiencing happiness for prolonged duration. For instance, after achieving a goal such as getting selected for a particular position, or winning something, we tend to get used to the positive emotions, which eventually fade soon. The aforementioned mechanisms of hedonic adaptation are evident in several life experiences faced by us.

This is because hedonic adaptation, in response to positive events and life changes, results in decline of positive emotions which were derived from the change, and the eventual cessation of these emotions.Īnother explanation is the concept of “satisfaction treadmill” or “aspirational treadmill”, that is, upon reaching a certain level of positive experiences and happiness, the individual views it as their new norm or the baseline and aspires to achieve more of the similar feelings, resulting in reduction of subjective positive experience from the previous achievements. Advantages and Disadvantages of Hedonic AdaptationĮven though hedonic adaptation provides immense benefits in terms of reducing the intensity of negative life experiences, as well as coping with them by building our psychological immunity, yet, it proves to be detrimental for sustained positive experiences.

Researchers have termed this as ‘hedonic adaptation’, which is one of the primary obstacles in the path of sustained happiness.

This implies that we adjust to the happiness upsurge, and soon return to our baseline levels, without the upsurge in happiness being sustained for longer duration. The most convincing explanation for the dissipation of this momentary happiness is the powerful human capacity to adapt to change, both positive and negative. The most commonly cited example of this phenomena is the study by Brickman and colleagues (1978), which showed that even exceptional positive life changes such as winning the lottery do not lead to sustained levels of happiness, as the individuals return to their original happiness levels after a certain duration. Even more so common is the fleeting nature of this happiness, dissipating soon after the positive feelings and happiness set in. This momentary “rush” of happiness after experiencing a positive life change, positive experience or achieving a desired goal is not an uncommon experience. Have you ever experienced positive emotions, including happiness, after achieving something you desired or experiencing a positive life event, expecting it to boost your happiness profoundly, only to witness that happiness fade away soon?