The Sweet Spot: Why there’s more to human suffering than merely ‘no pain, no gain’
Psychologist Paul Bloom explores the reasons why we sometimes seek out unpleasant experiences
PSYCHOLOGY
The Sweet Spot: Suffering, Pleasure and the Key to a Good Life
By Paul Bloom
Vintage, €20.25
Now that we’re into a new year, many people are renouncing self-indulgence and subjecting themselves to new regimes verging on the masochistic. Perhaps you will start taking ice baths, go on a severe diet or risk losing consciousness during a clammy hot yoga class.
But why do we sometimes seek out unpleasant experiences? Psychologist Paul Bloom’s wide-ranging ...