The hedonic treadmill is the idea that an individual's level of happiness , after rising or falling in response to positive or negative life events, ultimately tends to move back toward where it was prior to these experiences.
What Is Hedonic Treadmill? (Plain Language Explanation)
Hedonic Treadmill refers to a pattern of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that many people experience. While it can be challenging, it's also well-understood and treatable.
Key Terms to Know About Hedonic Treadmill
- Symptoms: The specific ways hedonic treadmill shows up for you
- Triggers: Situations or thoughts that activate or worsen hedonic treadmill
- Evidence-based: Treatments backed by scientific research
- Comorbidity: When hedonic treadmill occurs alongside other conditions
3 Things Most People Don't Know About Hedonic Treadmill
- Hedonic Treadmill is far more common than most people realize
- Hedonic Treadmill is not caused by weakness — it has identifiable biological and psychological causes
- Most people with hedonic treadmill see significant improvement with the right support
Your Next Steps
Learning about hedonic treadmill is just the beginning. If you think you're experiencing hedonic treadmill, speaking with a mental health professional is the most valuable next step.