Lektion 1
Hedonic Treadmill: What Is It & Why Does It Matter?
The hedonic treadmill, also known as hedonic adaptation, refers to the psychological phenomenon where individuals' levels of happiness and satisfaction return to a baseline or set point, despite experiencing temporary increases or decreases in positive or negative circumstances. In other words, as people adapt to new experiences, possessions, or changes in their lives, the initial boost in happiness fades, and they return to their original level of well-being. The term "treadmill" signifies the continuous pursuit of happiness, where individuals strive for more and more positive experiences or possessions, only to find that they are never fully satisfied or fulfilled in the long run. By understanding the hedonic treadmill, we can break free from this cycle, cultivate genuine and lasting happiness, and prioritize actions and values that contribute to our overall well-being. Although this lesson is a heavy one as we explore and define this pattern of seeking external sources of happiness, by the end participants will walk away with a firm understanding of the concepts of hedonic adaptation and its related constructs that will serve as a base for the following lessons.
Lektion 2
Creating An Action Plan for Happiness
The exercise in this lesson requires participants to think of ways to prevent hedonic adaptation in the future by focusing on changes that are likely to result in long-lasting increases in happiness. We will start with a brief, guided meditation and move into a written exercise. Please find a comfortable space and grab a piece of paper or something to write on as well as a pen or pencil.
Lektion 3
Breaking Free from the Hedonic Treadmill: A Reflective Meditation
This lesson offers individuals a meditative journey (with some background music) to break free from the cycle of the hedonic treadmill and cultivate a greater sense of well-being. By combining mindfulness, self-reflection, and intentional action, this practice guides participants in recognizing the temporary nature of external sources of happiness and discovering sustainable paths to lasting well-being. Through dedicated mindfulness exercises, reflection prompts, and action-oriented intentions, individuals are empowered to explore their values, shift their mindset, and create new neural pathways that foster genuine and enduring happiness.
Lektion 4
Cultivating Mindful Living
Today participants will explore the concept of how daily mindful living can be a powerful tool to break free from the hedonic cycle. Through the mindfulness practice in this final lesson, participants will develop the ability to infuse mindfulness into their daily activities, fostering a profound shift in their mindset from chasing external sources of happiness to cultivating genuine well-being in the present moment.