Episode Details

You might have heard of the expression 'a guilty pleasure' – maybe it's the chocolate bar you buy on the way home from work, or the new clothes that you don't really need. It comes from the idea that when we treat ourselves, it can sometimes leave us feeling guilty. Perhaps we don't feel we deserved it, or we don't think it was a responsible way to spend our money. But should we feel like this? Do we really have to feel guilty about treating ourselves?

您可能听说过“一种罪恶感的快乐”这个说法——也许是您在下班回家的路上买的巧克力，或者是您并不真正需要的新衣服。 它来自这样的想法：当我们对待自己时，有时会让我们感到内疚。 也许我们觉得我们不应该这样做，或者我们认为这不是一种负责任的花钱方式。 但我们应该有这样的感觉吗？ 我们真的需要为对待自己感到内疚吗？

Perhaps not. Psychologists have suggested that buying things for yourself can make you feel better as it provides an opportunity to take control of your situation. It can give you social contact as well as a confidence boost from changes you make to your self-image. It may be that as well as lifting your mood, when you buy a treat, you might just be looking after yourself.

也许不是。 心理学家建议，为自己买东西可以让你感觉更好，因为它提供了一个控制自己处境的机会。 它可以为您提供社交联系，并通过您对自我形象的改变来增强自信。 当您购买零食时，除了可以提振心情之外，您也可能只是为了照顾自己。

Of course, there are also examples of people turning to destructive behaviour when faced with stressful circumstances. People might spend money that they don't have or turn to dangerous addictions. Psychologist Leon Seltzer considers the difference between self-indulgence and self-nurturing. Self-indulgence can be reckless and have negativ