What is hedonic adaptation and how to overcome it

One of the greatest characteristics that differentiates humans from animals is the ability to verbalize and pursue goals. In addition, the need for consumption caused by society is so ingrained in the construction of our reality that it is difficult to think and act in another way. This point is key to understanding hedonic adaptation and how we relate to the people who are part of our environment.

If you want to understand a little more about this topic, we suggest you continue reading, since the data that we will display here will be useful to you. In this Psychology-Online article, we will tell you what is hedonic adaptation and how to overcome it.

Index

1. What is hedonic adaptation
2. Consequences of hedonic adaptation
3. Examples of hedonic adaptation
4. How to overcome hedonistic adaptation

Hedonic adaptation is the human ability to adapt to situations that generate pleasure or displeasure. In other words, hedonic adaptation maintains a link with the resources that a person has to face the situations that occur throughout life.

In this sense, it should be noted that there is a tendency to maintain a certain emotional stability despite the initial impact of the experiences lived. If you want to do a little self-analysis, we invite you to consult this emotional stability scale.

First of all, keep in mind that each person has a different personality that distinguishes them from others. This means that each one processes life events in a different way. When hedonic adaptation manifests, it can cause the following consequences:

• Dissatisfaction: getting used to pleasant and unpleasant situations can cause the feeling that it has not yet been possible to achieve something important and that the objectives achieved are not relevant.
• Anxiety: the belief that the desired objectives have not yet been achieved can lead to a permanent rethinking of vital objectives. At this point, you may feel a heightened burden of anxiety. In these cases, we recommend resorting to these relaxation techniques for anxiety.
• impulsive actions: in the face of hedonic adaptation, the feeling of dissatisfaction and anxiety can cause the goals achieved to be undervalued. For this reason, the need to carry out impulsive actions that generate unfavorable effects in life may arise.

In order to better understand the concept that we are developing, below, we will show you some examples of hedonic adaptation:

• Lose weight: a woman wants to lose body weight, since she considers that she has 10 extra kilos. After undergoing a strict diet and performing sessions of physical activity, she achieves the goal that she had initially set for herself. However, if she gets used to the pleasure that the new weight gives her and she sees it as a done deal, she may come to think that she is still not satisfied with her body image and push herself even more towards the goal of losing weight. At this point, it should be noted that they may appear eating disorders or distorted images of reality.
• live in a bigger house: A man lives in an apartment and wants to move to a bigger house. After an intense search, he finally manages to live in a house that gives him great pleasure. However, having become accustomed to this new situation, he might have the idea that he has not yet found the house that he had initially imagined, due to hedonic adaptation. Due to these circumstances, this belief can lead to impulsive behavior and a feeling of emotional discomfort.

Despite the consequences of hedonistic adaptation, there are ways to improve the quality of life and overcome the adversities caused by this particular human capacity. Here are some tips on how to overcome hedonic adaptation:

• Seek therapeutic help: therapy is a space that invites reflection on personal conflicts that are manifested in daily life. Furthermore, psychological therapy allows you to work on the emotions, thoughts and behaviors that may arise regarding the objectives of each one. Likewise, therapy helps to better understand one's own personality.
• Focus on positive aspects: cWhen hedonic adaptation appears, the feeling of dissatisfaction appears for not having achieved all the proposed goals, despite having achieved some of them. In other words, the person focuses on what is missing and conceives of happiness as an unattainable ideal. Focusing on positive aspects allows you to enjoy the adaptation process and value all that has been achieved.
• Search for new projects: sIf you focus all your energy on a single goal, you may feel empty when you reach it. However, the diversification of objectives allows us to always be on the lookout for new opportunities. In this way, adaptation and boredom can be avoided.
• Organization: planning your day to day will help you combat hedonic adaptation. In this sense, reserving time to carry out pleasant activities is essential when it comes to set new personal goals.

This article is merely informative, in Psychology-Online we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.

If you want to read more articles similar to What is hedonic adaptation and how to overcome it, we recommend that you enter our category of cognitive psychology.

• Fernandez-Berrocal, P., Extremera, N. (2009). Emotional intelligence and the study of happiness. Interuniversity Journal of Teacher Training 66, 23 (3), 85-108.