Psychology of sustainable happiness - FIVE startegies

Are you upset with your experience of a negative event? Such as losing a job or going through a breakup, death of a close person/relatives etc? Then be careful that you are sacrificing your happiness level at that moment or period.  

You are in a psychologically different situation and always trying to adapt the new situation.

Or, you find your joy or happiness of purchasing a new car, securing a high-paying job, or moving into a larger house.

But within short period of time you will find that your joy/happiness diminishes over time as you slowly come back to your new situation.

In both the above cases, your normal BASE-LEVEL happiness level has been destabilized.

Base level happiness level & The Hedonic Adaptation

Now the question is how you can go back to your previous happiness level?

The good news is that you often find that your happiness levels eventually come back & stabilize.

This in-built rebound effect allows you to move forward and regain your sense of normalcy.

This phenomenon is called Hedonic adaptation, also known as the "hedonic treadmill,"

It is a psychological phenomenon that describes the tendency of humans to return to a stable level of happiness despite significant positive or negative events or life changes.

People frequently strive for and achieve goals they believe will make them happier—such as acquiring wealth, status, or material possessions—only to find that the resulting happiness is only lasting for short time.

So, Hedonic adaptation is very much connected to human emotions. And in the area of Emotional Intelligence (EI) this phenomenon is playing a big role. This concept is crucial for understanding the pursuit of happiness and the challenges associated with maintaining long-term well-being.
Initially, these changes might result in a spike in happiness, but over time, individuals tend to revert to their baseline levels of contentment.

5 – strategies for cultivating long term SUSTAINABLE happiness

Research suggests several strategies to for enhancing long-term well-being.

Here are FIVE super-strategies:

Cultivating Gratitude:

Regularly expressing gratitude for what one has can help maintain a positive outlook and counteract the diminishing returns of happiness from new acquisitions or achievements

Pursuing Meaningful Activities:

Engaging in Volunteering, pursuing hobbies, and building meaningful relationships often yield more enduring happiness than material gains.

Embracing new challenges:

Continuously seeking new experiences and challenges can prevent the stagnation of happiness. Trying new activities, learning new skills, and exploring different environments can keep the sense of novelty alive and sustain higher levels of happiness.

Cultivating Mindfulness:

Practicing Mindfulness techniques, such as meditation and mindful breathing, can help individuals to taste good experiences and remain grounded.

Setting Realistic Expectations:

Understanding that happiness from external changes is often temporary & can help manage expectations. By focusing on intrinsic goals, such as personal growth and self-improvement, individuals can achieve a more stable and enduring sense of well-being.

Understanding & Call To Action (CTA)

Hedonic adaptation is therefore a natural part of the human experience, for long term sustainable happiness.

Embracing gratitude, pursuing meaningful activities, seeking novelty, practicing mindfulness, and setting realistic expectations are key to achieving long-term well-being.

Long time sustainable happiness means meditation, practicing gratitude & Mindfulness. BE POSITIVE ALWAYS.