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As humans continue to study wellbeing and happiness, scientists strive to understand what truly drives lasting joy. Yet human nature often works against us—we chase material rewards or fall into social media traps that fuel comparison and discontent. This week’s article explores six key lifestyle choices that can elevate overall happiness and build resilience through life’s ups and downs. These practices may hold the key to moving beyond the endless chase for happiness—and learning how to sustain it.

Happy reading!

"6 Life-changing Lessons from the Biggest Studies on Human Happiness"
_{by Liz Connor for BBC Science Focus}

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Decades of psychological research have shown that while coveted life changes—say, getting a raise, buying a car, or even winning the lottery—can deliver a temporary boost in happiness, the joy they bring is short-lived and unsustainable. This cycle of adapting to new circumstances, returning to baseline, and endlessly seeking the next source of joy is so common that psychologists have coined a term for it: the hedonic treadmill.

First developed by researchers Philip Brickman and Donald Campbell in 1971, the term “hedonic treadmill” describes the universal tendency for us to boomerang back to a baseline level of happiness, despite life’s ups and downs. The return to emotional baseline has also been shown to apply to negative life changes.

While the time it takes to return to our emotional baseline after a high or low varies, we all have the ability to influence that baseline through our habits and lifestyle choices. Here are six ways to maintain a higher baseline of happiness—making emotional resets easier and boosting overall well-being:

1. Quiet quit on time-sucking activities: time is the ultimate happiness currency. Do not waste it. Be intentional about prioritizing social interaction & time spent on things you are passionate about over aimless activity like scrolling on your phone.

2. Opt for variety over becoming an expert: Sticking too strictly to routine can be stifling. In all aspects of your life– be it work, an exercise routine, or the music you listen to– be intentional about breaking routine.

3. ...And try new things just for the fun of it: While it may be disquieting (or even embarrassing) to be a beginner at something, embracing new things has a massive neurological bonus: it requires you to be laser-focused on the present moment. It forces mindfulness. And mindfulness forces the absence of feelings of aimlessness or anxiety.

4. Rip up your current goals, write new ones: Examine how many of your main goals are intrinsic (pursued for personal growth or fulfillment) or extrinsic (based on external rewards). Focus on pursuing intrinsic goals—these efforts tend to be enjoyable and rewarding from start to finish.

5. Tap into the 'deinfluencing' trend: This trend is an intentional pushback on the way our social media feeds push us to compare ourselves to others, and to make rash purchases driven by external validation. Be intentional about not letting these influences make you buy things you don’t need– or care about external things that will weigh you down emotionally.

6. Start a book club, don't invite your friends: Research shows that intentional interactions with strangers can significantly boost happiness. While approaching random people isn’t always ideal, joining a local hobby group (like a book club) can offer a refreshing sense of connection and community.

By embracing these lifestyle choices, we not only numb the effects of the hedonic treadmill– we stand to elevate our everyday emotional baseline to a more consistent state of happiness.

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So tell us: Which of the six guidelines feels most applicable and easiest to put into practice in your own life? Which one do you think would be the greatest challenge?

Thank you,

The MAP Team

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