We have an emotional baseline that’s like a hit (think of it like a hit from a drug. Each emotional baseline has a certain frequency). When we become used to a certain baseline, we suddenly need a higher frequency (or arousal/stimuli) to feel that same level of emotion.

For example, let’s say excitement is measured as an emotional intensity of 8 on the arousal level. Physiologically, chemicals and hormones are doing certain things. Our bodies eventually adapt to that level and suddenly we don’t feel the excitement anymore; so we need even MORE arousal to feel the same level of excitement (let’s say, we need a 9 or 10 now).

This can be why our moods vary day by day, week by week. Our bodies are constantly adapting. On emotionally lower days (feeling lost, blue, depressed, or sad for example), we can have faith that we are just lowering our baseline so that we’re more prone (and more sensitive) and appreciative for arousal that’ll induce positives the next day, and it takes a lot less for our levels to skyrocket high vibes again!

We can have faith that we are just lowering our baseline so that we’re more prone (and more sensitive) and appreciative for arousal that’ll induce positives the next day, and it takes a lot less for our levels to skyrocket high vibes again!

This is something that I’ve learned from The Holistic Pyschologist’s video:

Because we all have an emotional baseline, we ALL have some sort of emotional addiction. This strikes the same as all other kinds of addictions and addictive behaviors; binge eating, internet gambling, drugs, codependency, work–our bodies adapt on a physiological level and suddenly we need MORE to feel the same effect.

Insightful, huh?

Now that you know a little more about yourself, ask yourself, how can I use this to elevate my moods/mindset? 🙂