Objective:
Students will gain a deeper understanding of the hedonic treadmill, the tendency to return to a stable level of happiness despite life changes. By exploring major studies on happiness, they will examine how this affects their daily lives, motivations, and well-being. They will evaluate strategies to enhance sustained happiness and apply these to personal growth. By the end of the lesson, students will explain the hedonic treadmill’s role in emotions, identify methods to overcome its effects and articulate how these methods foster resilience and contentment. Through reading, discussion, and reflection, students will become more conscious of their pursuit of happiness and make mindful choices for lasting fulfillment.
Introduction
1. Warm-up Discussion (5 minutes)
- Question: Ask students, “What do you think makes people happy, and why?”
- Activity: Write student responses on the board, encouraging them to think beyond material possessions (e.g., relationships, success, etc.).
- Follow-up: Ask, “Why do you think some things make people happy only for a short time?” Does winning the lottery make you happy? BBC
2. Introduction to Topic (5 minutes)
- Brief Explanation: Introduce the concept of the hedonic treadmill, explaining how people quickly adapt to positive or negative changes and return to a baseline level of happiness.
- Multimedia Hook: Show a 2-minute video or infographic that explains the hedonic treadmill in a visually engaging way.
Activity 1: Reading and Comprehension
1. Reading Task
- Task: Students read the article “6 Life-Changing Lessons from the Biggest Studies on Human Happiness.” You may provide printed copies or use digital devices.
- Differentiation: Offer an audio version for students who need additional support with reading.
2. Guided Reading Questions
- Whole-Class Discussion:
- What is the hedonic treadmill?
- Why do people return to a baseline level of happiness even after big changes?
- What are three strategies mentioned in the article to boost long-term happiness?
- Challenge: Ask students how they see evidence of the hedonic treadmill in their own lives.
Activity 2: Group Discussion and Presentations
1. Group Discussion
- Task: Divide students into six groups. Assign each group one lesson from the article.
- Questions for Group Analysis:
- What is the main takeaway from your assigned lesson?
- How could this lesson be applied to the life of a high school student?
- Are there any obstacles that make this lesson hard to apply in real life?
- Critical Thinking Twist: Have students consider the long-term impact of implementing this lesson—how could it change their lives over time?
2. Group Presentations
- Task: Each group presents their assigned lesson (1-2 minutes each), explaining how it can be applied to high school students’ daily lives.
- Visual Element: Encourage each group to create a quick visual (poster or digital slide) to accompany their presentation, summarizing the lesson.
Activity 3: Personal Reflection and Sharing
1. Personal Reflection (5 minutes)
- Task: Ask students to write a short reflection (3-5 sentences) on how they can apply one of the lessons in their own lives.
- Prompts:
- Which lesson resonates with you the most?
- How do you plan to implement this lesson in your day-to-day life?
- What challenges might you face when applying this strategy?
2. Sharing and Class Discussion
- Task: Ask for volunteers to share their reflections.
- Discussion: As a class, discuss common themes or challenges that come up and brainstorm possible solutions.
Conclusion
1. Recap Key Points
- Teacher-Led Summary: Recap the main points discussed, focusing on the hedonic treadmill and the six strategies for long-term happiness.
- Discussion: Ask, “Which strategies do you think are most important for high school students? Why?”
2. Homework Assignment
- Task: Ask students to keep a happiness journal for a week, documenting how they feel as they apply one or more of the lessons discussed. Encourage them to reflect on whether they notice any changes in their happiness levels.
Extension Activities (Optional)
- Research Project: Students research famous historical or modern figures and analyze how they might have experienced the hedonic treadmill and which strategies they used (or could have used) to maintain happiness.
- Creative Project: Have students design a poster or infographic that summarizes one of the six happiness strategies and how it can be applied in a teenager’s life.
6 Strategies to Boost Happiness in High School
High school can be stressful, but there are simple things you can do to boost your happiness by focusing on your time, activities, and connections with others. Here are six ways to feel happier every day:
- Quiet quit time-draining activities: Instead of trying to do everything, focus on what’s really important to you. You don’t have to do all the extracurriculars or work late into the night on school projects. It’s okay to set boundaries, like limiting your screen time or saying “no” to extra responsibilities when you’re overwhelmed. Spending more time with friends, family, or doing things you love will make you feel happier in the long run.
- Choose variety over mastery: Instead of focusing on becoming the best at one thing, try out different activities. If you play the same sport or practice the same hobby all the time, it can start to feel boring. Mix it up! One day you could try soccer, the next day it could be art or music. Adding variety to your routine can help keep things exciting and prevent burnout.
- Try new things for fun: Don’t be afraid to try something new, even if you’re not great at it right away. Whether it’s learning a new instrument, trying a new sport, or even cooking, the key is to enjoy the experience without worrying about being perfect. Trying new things keeps your mind focused on the moment, which helps you feel more relaxed and less stressed.
- Rethink your goals: We often believe that if we achieve a certain goal, like getting straight A’s or making the varsity team, we’ll be happy forever. But research shows that happiness doesn’t last that long after you achieve something. Instead, focus on goals that make you feel good while you’re working on them, not just after you’ve completed them. For example, choose to join clubs or activities because you enjoy them, not just because they look good on your college applications.
- Think before you buy: It’s easy to feel like we need the latest shoes, phone, or fashion trend to fit in or feel good about ourselves. But buying stuff doesn’t bring lasting happiness. Instead, try to focus on experiences, like spending time with friends or going on new adventures, which bring more lasting joy. Before making a purchase, ask yourself if it’s something you truly need or if you’re being influenced by others.
- Connect with new people: Building new friendships or even chatting with someone you don’t know well can boost your happiness. Studies show that connecting with others, even briefly, can make a big difference in how you feel. Whether it’s joining a new club, talking to a classmate, or even participating in online hobby groups, making connections outside your usual friend group can bring new energy and joy to your life.