What is the concept of the hedonic treadmill?

The concept of the hedonic treadmill refers to the observed tendency of individuals to quickly return to a relatively stable level of happiness despite major positive or negative events or life changes. This means that as people experience pleasure and satisfaction from achieving goals or acquiring new things, they often quickly adapt to these changes, leading them to seek more in pursuit of happiness.

The term emphasizes that while individuals might pursue long-term happiness through various means—such as wealth, status, or material possessions—they often find that such pursuits do not yield lasting happiness. Instead, they become accustomed to their new circumstances and eventually revert to their baseline level of happiness, which drives a continuous cycle of seeking more without achieving lasting satisfaction. This phenomenon illustrates why external achievements alone are often insufficient for long-term fulfillment.

Understanding the hedonic treadmill can help individuals realize the importance of internal factors—like personal growth and self-acceptance—in contributing to lasting happiness, rather than solely relying on external accomplishments.