I am reasonably well-off, healthy and have a loving family, yet why am I still not happy? Such questions pop up in our minds at times.
This is the consequence of a phenomenon that is interpreted as “the hedonic treadmill”. The tendency of a person to remain at a relatively stable level of happiness despite major positive or negative changes to livelihood or life goals is what constitutes a hedonic treadmill. Let us assume we believe buying a new fancy car will make us happy. We realise over time, however, that our joy fades. The mind now gets fixated on something else in the quest for happiness, and the cycle repeats.
Why, then, are we on a treadmill run – working harder to rise up the ladder for a brief sinusoidal upper half cycle of happiness? We may find short-circuiting this hedonic treadmill is tricky.
There are, however, certain things that may lead to sustained levels of satisfaction. Say, focussing on improving our health and energy. When we feel great, we are more likely to be happy. Spend time with people we enjoy, strike a balance between career and family. Remove chronic stress. There are simple ways, such as reorganising ourselves. Pursue a new challenge. Most of us assume that retirement will enhance our happiness, but it’s not often the case. Some may feel empty and lost as there was a sense of purpose and joy in work. The solution is to take up a challenge – play a musical instrument, a skill.
When we act in a manner that benefits others, give to causes beyond ourselves and our own benefit, we certainly go to ecstatic happiness. And that is a win over the hedonic adaptation!
However, put this question to yourself. When we transcend this and give our everything, mind, body, love to the supreme being, will there ever be a negative sinusoidal wave?
vidyarajkumar@rediffmail.com
