Hedonic Adaptation

Hedonic adaptation is the psychological phenomenon where people quickly return to a stable level of happiness after experiencing positive or negative events. For instance, when you get a new car or a promotion, you may feel excited initially, but over time, that joy fades as you adjust to the new situation. Similarly, after a setback, such as losing a job, you might feel unhappy, but eventually, you adapt and find happiness again. This cycle can influence how we pursue pleasure and seek lasting happiness, reminding us that our emotional responses often level out over time.