"Hedonic Adaptation & Mental Health" - Noel Dillon-Daly

Life is filled with highs and lows: the buzz of going on holiday, the excitement of landing a dream job, or the grief of losing a loved one. Yet, over time, the emotional intensity of these experiences—pleasant and unpleasant—tends to drop off. This phenomenon is known as Hedonic Adaptation.

Human beings have a natural tendency to return to a baseline level of happiness despite significant positive or negative events. Of course, this baseline is different for each person. Some people’s baseline is naturally high, while others struggle with a lower one. But what’s important to recognise is that mental health isn’t about avoiding life’s lows or constantly chasing its highs. Highs and lows are inevitable. Instead, it’s about working to move that baseline upwards so that we can experience a deeper, more sustainable sense of contentment.

Think about it: after a wonderful holiday, you’re back home. The warm beaches, stunning views, and carefree days are behind you. What does your life look like now? Do you have routines, habits, and relationships that bring joy and meaning to your day-to-day existence? Or do you find yourself sinking into dissatisfaction, craving another escape? Similarly, during moments of grief, when the world feels heavy, what kind of support network do you have? Are there people you can lean on, or practices that help you process the pain?

Therapy plays a vital role in helping people examine and reshape their baselines. Often, people come to therapy believing that happiness lies just beyond the next big milestone: the new car, the promotion, the weight loss. But these external achievements, while meaningful, rarely provide lasting satisfaction. Instead, therapy helps individuals focus inward, exploring how they can cultivate internal resources and emotional resilience.

For instance, mindfulness practices can help you savour the present moment, reducing the urge to constantly chase the next high. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) can help you identify and challenge negative thought patterns that might pull you below your baseline. Meanwhile, strengthening relationships and building a supportive community can provide the buffer you need when life’s inevitable lows come along.

Moving your baseline isn’t about achieving perpetual happiness—that’s neither realistic nor healthy. Instead, it’s about creating a life that feels more balanced, meaningful, and aligned with your values. It’s about building resilience, so that even when the highs fade or the lows hit hard, you have the tools and resources to navigate them.

So, the next time you find yourself transitioning out of a joyful experience or facing a challenging moment, take a moment to reflect: what does your baseline look like? Are you investing in habits, relationships, and practices that support your mental health? Or do you find yourself constantly chasing the new thing?