Having an extra slice of cake, buying expensive clothes, or sleeping in until 11 AM may bring you great enjoyment. It might be something that makes your week worth it or how you get through a stressful day. Still, you may feel embarrassment or shame if you admit to it. This is why “guilty pleasures” exist. 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. What if we told you that you shouldn’t feel bad about your guilty pleasures and that they are actually fantastic for you? Keep reading to discover why you should indulge occasionally.

    Psychologists say that buying things for yourself can make you feel better because it gives you a chance to take control of your situation. It can also give you social contact and 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.

    Permitting yourself to enjoy things can help you deal with symptoms of anxiety and depression. It can even be a protective factor against depression. Life isn’t easy, and when we’re struggling, we need to be kind to ourselves. Indulging in the things that bring us joy can get us through tough times. As long as your guilty pleasure is harmless, there is no reason not to do it. Our brain’s neural (神经的) pathways light up when we do things we enjoy. This makes it easier to gain feelings of happiness.

    As we said earlier, guilt and happiness can be mixed up in our minds. Rather than fighting them or trying to change them, welcome them. It might have a better result in increasing your happiness. 

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1.1. Why do people feel guilty about their pleasures?

A Because they believe they don’t deserve them.

B Because it’s irresponsible to indulge in pleasures.

C Because they think it’s not a good way to relieve stress.

D Because others judge them for their choices.

解析：选A。细节理解题。根据第一段中的“Perhaps we don’t feel we deserved it, or we don’t think it was a responsible way to spend our money.”也许我们不觉得自己配得上这些，或者我们不认为这是花钱的负责任方式，并不是说沉迷享乐是不负责任的。故选A。

2.2. What is one of the benefits of allowing yourself to enjoy guilty pleasures?

A It can help you become more disciplined.

B It can improve your financial planning.

C It can relieve symptoms of anxiety and depression.

D It can increase your productivity at work.

解析：选C。细节理解题。根据第三段中的“Permitting yourself to enjoy things can help you deal with symptoms of anxiety and depression. It can even be a protective factor against depression.”可知，允许自己享受内疚快感可以帮助你减轻焦虑和抑郁的症状，甚至可以成为预防抑郁的保护因素。这与提高自律、改善财务规划或增加工作效率无关。故选C。

3.3. What is suggested about the relationship between guilt and happiness?

A They cannot coexist in our minds.

B We should try to remove guilt to be happy.

C Embracing both can lead to increased happiness.

D Guilt is necessary for true happiness.

解析：选C。细节理解题。根据最后一段内容可知，我们不应该试图消除或改变内疚和快乐的感受，而是应该接受它们，因为这可能有助于增加我们的幸福感。故选C。

4.4. What is the main idea of the passage?

A Guilty pleasures are harmful and should be avoided.

B Guilty pleasures are beneficial and shouldn’t be felt ashamed of.

C Guilty pleasures are unnecessary and can be replaced with other activities.

D Guilty pleasures are a sign of weakness and should be overcome.

解析：选B。主旨大意题。根据全文可知，“内疚快感”实际上是有益的，作者鼓励人们偶尔放纵自己，享受这些快感。这些行为可以改善心情，帮助应对焦虑和抑郁，并且是无害的，因此没有必要感到内疚。故选B。