Dax Moy

How Abstention Leads To Increases In Satisfaction and Happiness.

Researchers studied the effects of Hedonic Adaptation, the process by which those things that used to bring us pleasure and joy begin to lose some of their value and impact.

In their experiment they asked one group to give up chocolate for a week, another to consume more than usual while a third group was given no specific instructions as to how to moderate their chocolate intake.

At the end of the week the group that were instructed to abstain showed a marked increase in the positive impact of consuming chocolate compared to the two other groups, proving that absence really DOES make the heart grow fonder and that the pleasure centres of the brain get desensitised when those things that we enjoy are experienced ‘too often’.

How Can You Use This Research In YOUR Coaching?

As part of your exploration into your clients’ experiences of stress and threat you will undoubtedly come across stories of their diminished enjoyment of certain aspects of their lives.

For example, clients often lament “I used to really LOVE coffee, yet now I find I guzzle it down mindlessly and barely taste it anymore”

Similar may be said for alcohol, certain foods like bread or pastries, or even of physical experiences like exercise, sex or even masturbation.

Wherever they are ‘overconsuming’ is likely that they are experiencing hedonic adaptation that is resulting in a diminished sense of pleasure and so, through either guidance or challenge you may find beneficial to create an invitation to abstain for 5-7 days.

If food is involved, DON’T call this a dietary intervention; explain that this is about reigniting the pleasure from specific foods or beverages or experiences and has nothing specifically to do with diet or weight management.

As you can (hopefully) see, this ties in PERFECTLY with the ‘3 Joys’ by creating a greater sense of joyous anticipation, participation/consumption and finally of satisfaction and celebration.

Simple but powerful.

Try it on yourself for a week and see what happens.

For my part, I’ll be giving up red wine for a week.

What about you?

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Quoidbach, J. & Dunn., E. W. (2013). Give it up: A strategy for combating hedonic adaptation. Social Psychological and Personality Science, 5, 511-516.