Post Race Blues
If you have ever set a goal for yourself, worked hard to achieve it, and then felt like something was missing when you reached it, you may have experienced the phenomenon known as the hedonic treadmill. This concept suggests that we have a natural tendency to adapt to positive changes in our lives, leading us to constantly seek more in order to maintain the same level of happiness. This can be especially true for athletes who have achieved a major goal, such as completing a marathon, and then feel a sense of letdown or depression afterwards. In this blog post, we will explore what the hedonic treadmill is, how it relates to athletes, and why values may be more important than outcome goals for reducing post-race blues or depression symptoms.
What is the Hedonic Treadmill?
The hedonic treadmill, also known as hedonic adaptation, is the idea that we have a natural tendency to return to a relatively stable level of happiness after positive or negative changes in our lives. For example, if we receive a promotion or buy a new car, we may feel a temporary increase in happiness, but eventually, we adapt to these changes and return to our baseline level of happiness. Similarly, if we experience a negative event, such as a job layoff, we may feel a temporary decrease in happiness, but eventually, we adapt and return to our baseline level of happiness.
How Does the Hedonic Treadmill Relate to Athletes?
The hedonic treadmill can be especially relevant for athletes who set outcome goals, such as completing a marathon in a certain time or winning a competition. While achieving these goals can certainly bring a sense of accomplishment and happiness, the euphoria of the moment is often temporary, and athletes may find themselves feeling a sense of letdown or even depression after the event is over. This can be especially true for endurance athletes who have trained for months or even years to complete a single event. (Trust me, I’ve experienced this myself! I’m currently training for Unbound 200, and having completed it twice already, I’m mentally preparing myself for this experience).
Why Values May Be More Important Than Outcome Goals for Athletes
So, if outcome goals can lead to the hedonic treadmill and post-race blues, what can athletes do to prevent or alleviate these feelings? The answer may lie in focusing on values rather than outcome goals. Values are the qualities and principles that we hold to be most important in our lives, such as family, health, and personal growth. Unlike outcome goals, which are often focused on external factors that are outside of our control, values are internal and can be pursued in a variety of ways.
Research has shown that athletes who focus on values rather than outcome goals are more likely to experience a sense of well-being and reduced symptoms of depression. By focusing on values such as personal growth, athletes can continue to strive towards their goals even after achieving them, leading to a sense of ongoing fulfillment and satisfaction.
How to Identify Your Values
How can you identify your values as an athlete? Here are some steps to get started:
Think about what really matters to you. Consider what brings you the most fulfillment and satisfaction in your athletic pursuits. Is it the process of training, pushing yourself to new limits, or the feeling of accomplishment after completing a challenging race?
Consider what values you already prioritize in your life. Do you value honesty, hard work, or perseverance? These values can also be applied to your athletic pursuits.
Think about what values you may want to prioritize in your athletic life. Do you want to focus on teamwork, discipline, or resilience? Identify what is important to you and what you want to work on.
Write down your values and keep them in a place where you can easily refer back to them. This can be a great reminder of what is truly important to you when you are feeling down or struggling with motivation.
Why Focusing on Values Matters More Than Outcome Goals
While outcome goals such as winning a race or achieving a personal record can be motivating, they can also be limiting. The problem with outcome goals is that they are often outside of our control. If you don't achieve the outcome you were hoping for, it can be easy to feel discouraged or even depressed.
In contrast, focusing on your values is something that is entirely within your control. By prioritizing the values that matter most to you, you can find fulfillment and motivation in the process of pursuing your goals, regardless of the outcome. This is where the hedonic treadmill comes in. Even if you achieve a big goal like completing a marathon or winning a race, the positive emotions associated with that accomplishment will eventually fade and you will return to your normal level of happiness.
This can be a difficult reality to face for athletes who may experience post-race blues or even symptoms of depression after achieving a big goal. However, by focusing on your values rather than outcome goals, you can find more sustainable and meaningful sources of happiness and motivation.
For example, if you prioritize the value of perseverance, you can find motivation in the process of training and pushing yourself to improve, rather than just in achieving a certain outcome. If you prioritize the value of health, you can find fulfillment in taking care of your body and making healthy choices, rather than just in achieving a certain race time.
Conclusion
As an athlete, it can be easy to get caught up in outcome goals and the pursuit of external validation. However, by focusing on your values and what truly matters to you, you can find more sustainable sources of motivation and fulfillment in your athletic pursuits. Remember that the hedonic treadmill is real, and that lasting happiness and fulfillment come not from achieving external goals, but from living a life that is aligned with your values.
