Hedonic Treadmill
The hedonic treadmill is a metaphor for the idea that an individual’s level of happiness tends to return to where it started—a “set point”—regardless of good fortune or negative life events the person experiences. The process by which positive or negative effects on happiness fade over time is called hedonic adaptation
Starting a new romance, being promoted at work, or even winning the lottery may cause a brief burst of extra joy, but these events will not necessarily change people’s everyday levels of happiness in the long run. Instead, people often adjust their expectations to the new status quo and find themselves desiring even more to maintain the same level of happiness—hence the treadmill comparison.
Can You Increase Your Level of Happiness?
While people’s happiness may not be 100 percent within their control, there are evidence-based ways to boost satisfaction over time. For example, incorporating variety whenever possible could make it less likely for someone to grow accustomed to the status quo.