The hedonic treadmill

The Hedonic Treadmill

Studies show that each of us has a genetically-determined set point, or baseline level, of happiness. The hedonic treadmill is the empirically supported idea that whatever happens in our lives to increase or decrease our happiness level, our happiness will soon return to its set point. When we get a promotion, get divorced, have kids, or experience any other notable gain or loss in our life, we get an initial spike—either positive or negative—in our happiness level. However, as time goes on, the feeling of happiness or sadness caused by the change in conditions starts to dissipate until we’re back around our set point of happiness.