hedonic treadmill

is the tendency to quickly return to a relatively stable level of happiness despite major positive or negative events or life changes.

The hedonic treadmill, also known as hedonic adaptation, is the observed tendency of humans to quickly return to a relatively stable level of happiness despite major positive or negative events or life changes. According to this theory, as a person makes more money, expectations and desires rise in tandem, which results in no permanent gain in happiness. (wikipedia)

hedonic treadmill, n.All

hedonic treadmill