Understanding What are the two approaches to wellbeing?

September 24, 2025 •

3 min read

Rooted in ancient Greek philosophy, psychological research identifies two fundamental paths to a flourishing life. So, what are the two approaches to wellbeing? They are the hedonic approach, centered on pleasure, and the eudaimonic approach, focused on meaning and purpose.

Quick Summary

The two primary approaches to wellbeing are hedonic, which prioritizes pleasure and the absence of pain, and eudaimonic, which emphasizes meaning, purpose, and realizing one's full potential. Achieving optimal health and happiness often involves finding a productive balance between both.

Key Points

Hedonic vs. Eudaimonic: Wellbeing is pursued through two main approaches: hedonic (pleasure-focused) and eudaimonic (purpose-focused).
Pleasure and Pain: Hedonic wellbeing is about maximizing pleasure and minimizing pain, providing temporary satisfaction.
Meaning and Purpose: Eudaimonic wellbeing is based on self-realization, personal growth, and living a life of meaning.
Long-term vs. Short-term: Hedonic pursuits offer short-lived joy, while eudaimonic activities provide a more lasting sense of fulfillment.
The Power of Balance: The most psychologically healthy individuals integrate both hedonic and eudaimonic activities for a balanced, flourishing life.
Actionable Strategies: Enhancing wellbeing involves both enjoying simple, positive moments (hedonic) and dedicating time to meaningful goals and values (eudaimonic).

Delving into the two approaches to wellbeing

The quest for a good life is as old as humanity itself. While many of us intuitively understand that happiness is more than just feeling good in the moment, modern psychology and neuroscience have provided a clearer framework for this ancient wisdom. The two distinct yet complementary paths to a flourishing life are known as hedonic and eudaimonic wellbeing.

The Hedonic Approach: The Pursuit of Pleasure

Named after the Greek word for pleasure, hedone, the hedonic approach to wellbeing is all about maximizing pleasure and minimizing pain. This is the more immediate and tangible form of happiness, often associated with positive emotions and life satisfaction. It is the feeling of joy, contentment, and comfort that comes from enjoyable experiences.

Core characteristics of hedonic wellbeing:

Focus on feelings: It is a subjective, state-based experience focused on the emotional present.
Driven by external factors: Often triggered by external stimuli, such as a delicious meal, a new purchase, or a relaxing vacation.
Short-lived satisfaction: The effects can be fleeting. Known as 'hedonic adaptation,' people often return to a baseline level of happiness after experiencing a peak pleasure.

How to cultivate hedonic wellbeing:

Savoring moments: Practice mindfulness by fully engaging with your senses during pleasurable activities, such as eating your favorite food or enjoying a sunset.
Indulge in small joys: Make time for simple pleasures like listening to music, watching a funny movie, or spending time with a pet.
Prioritize rest and relaxation: Ensure you get enough sleep and take breaks to reduce stress and pain, maximizing positive feelings.

The Eudaimonic Approach: The Pursuit of Purpose

Originating from Aristotle, the eudaimonic approach (from the Greek words eu meaning 'good' and daimon meaning 'spirit') is a deeper, more profound form of wellbeing. It is concerned with living a life of meaning, purpose, and self-realization. It involves developing one's best potentials and living in alignment with one's core values.

Core characteristics of eudaimonic wellbeing:

Focus on purpose: It is an enduring, trait-based experience focused on achieving a meaningful life.
Driven by internal factors: Motivated by intrinsic values and a sense of contributing to something larger than oneself.
Lasting fulfillment: It offers a more resilient and sustainable form of satisfaction that builds over time.

How to cultivate eudaimonic wellbeing:

Practice your values: Identify your core values and make decisions that align with them. Whether it's volunteering or being a reliable friend, living authentically is key.
Pursue meaningful goals: Set and work towards goals that give your life direction and a sense of accomplishment.
Develop skills and talents: Engage in activities that challenge you and allow you to grow, leading to states of flow and deep absorption.

Comparing the two approaches to wellbeing


Feature	Hedonic Wellbeing	Eudaimonic Wellbeing
Core Idea	Maximizing pleasure, minimizing pain	Realizing one's potential, living with purpose
Focus	Subjective feelings of happiness	Life satisfaction and meaning
Primary Motivation	Desire for positive emotions	Drive to grow and contribute
Source	External, often temporary stimuli	Internal, value-driven actions
Effect	Instant gratification, short-lived	Long-term fulfillment, enduring
Activities	Enjoying food, relaxing, shopping	Volunteering, learning new skills, personal growth

The crucial importance of balancing both

While hedonic and eudaimonic wellbeing may seem to be at odds, research shows that they are not mutually exclusive. The most flourishing individuals integrate both approaches into their lives. An imbalanced life, focused solely on one approach, can lead to negative outcomes.

An overemphasis on pure hedonism can result in a superficial existence, where the pursuit of pleasure becomes a hollow, unsatisfying experience, as seen in cases of burnout or addiction.
A life dedicated entirely to eudaimonia without any moments of pleasure can become sterile, joyless, and lead to exhaustion.

The most effective strategy is to weave both principles into your daily life. Seek out pleasure in small, mindful ways, while also dedicating time and energy to activities that provide a deeper sense of purpose and fulfillment. For more on achieving this balance, see this article from PositivePsychology.com: Hedonic vs. Eudaimonic Wellbeing: How to Reach Happiness.

Conclusion: A holistic view of wellbeing

So, what are the two approaches to wellbeing? Ultimately, they represent the two sides of a healthy and fulfilling life. Hedonic wellbeing provides the necessary, joyful moments that make life enjoyable, while eudaimonic wellbeing gives life its direction and resilience. By consciously nurturing both pleasure and purpose, you can move beyond simple happiness to achieve a state of genuine human flourishing that is both joyful and deeply meaningful.

Frequently Asked Questions

The two basic approaches to wellbeing are the hedonic approach, which focuses on attaining pleasure and avoiding pain, and the eudaimonic approach, which focuses on living a life of meaning and purpose.

Consider what truly makes you feel happy. Do you feel best after a relaxing night in with a movie (hedonic)? Or do you feel most fulfilled after volunteering for a cause you care about (eudaimonic)? Your motivations and feelings offer clues to your current balance.

No, neither is inherently better. Research suggests that the highest levels of overall health and happiness come from a balanced life that incorporates both hedonic pleasures and eudaimonic purpose.

Yes, exclusively seeking pleasure can lead to a phenomenon known as 'hedonic adaptation,' where the satisfaction from a pleasurable experience fades quickly, leaving you constantly chasing the next thrill without finding lasting fulfillment.

You can start small by pursuing a hobby that challenges you, setting a small goal to learn something new, spending quality time with loved ones, or doing a random act of kindness for someone.

Yes, many health and psychology professionals recognize both hedonic and eudaimonic perspectives as valid frameworks for understanding and improving overall mental health and wellbeing.

A balanced approach is associated with reduced stress, greater resilience, and more sustainable positive emotions. It provides a robust foundation for a healthier and more satisfying life, preventing the emptiness that can come from pursuing only one path.