459 episodes

Is there a science to being happy? Does our brain chemistry, or even our genetics, determine how we feel about our lives? Can we learn to become even happier? While happiness may look different for everyone, and can at times feel impossible to achieve, we know it’s an emotion that can be crucial to both your physical and mental health. So in this season of Chasing Life, Dr. Sanjay Gupta is setting out to better understand happiness and what the science tells us about the best ways to achieve it.  

Chasing Life CNN

    • Health & Fitness
    • 4.5 • 7.6K Ratings

Is there a science to being happy? Does our brain chemistry, or even our genetics, determine how we feel about our lives? Can we learn to become even happier? While happiness may look different for everyone, and can at times feel impossible to achieve, we know it’s an emotion that can be crucial to both your physical and mental health. So in this season of Chasing Life, Dr. Sanjay Gupta is setting out to better understand happiness and what the science tells us about the best ways to achieve it.  

    What You Need to Know About Sunscreen

    What You Need to Know About Sunscreen

    We've all heard about the importance of wearing sunscreen, but recent headlines have raised questions about the safety and effectiveness of certain ingredients found in chemical sunscreens. In this special Chasing Life: Spotlight, CNN Medical Correspondent Meg Tirrell investigates some of the questions and concerns surrounding sunscreen. She speaks with skin cancer researcher Dr. Rachel Neale and Dr. Laura Vandenberg, who studies potential effects of certain sunscreen chemicals on hormone function. Hear about the latest findings on ingredient safety and how they could impact your daily sun protection routine. 
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    • 36 min
    Living Your Happiest Life

    Living Your Happiest Life

    How would you define a “good” life? Is it being married with kids? Traveling with friends? Basking in fame and fortune? The Harvard Study on Adult Development has spent nearly 90 years examining what makes people happy and healthy over a lifetime. The director of the study, Dr. Robert Waldinger, has shared the findings in his book, “The Good Life: Lessons from the Longest Scientific Study on Happiness.” He tells Dr. Sanjay Gupta why no one should expect to be happy all the time, and how men and women measure happiness differently. 
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    • 39 min
    Mind of a Medalist

    Mind of a Medalist

    Nearly 11,000 athletes are competing in the Paris Olympic Games right now. They’ve been training their bodies to compete at the highest levels of sport. But what kind of mindset does it take to bring home the gold, silver or bronze medal? How do they navigate nerves and perform under pressure? Cognitive scientist, Dartmouth College President and former athlete, Sian Beilock says that practicing under pressure situations and focusing on the present can help. Plus, four-time Olympic medalist, Dominique Dawes recounts how she overcame several stumbles and still won gold. 
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    • 42 min
    Does Money Buy Happiness?

    Does Money Buy Happiness?

    We’ve all heard the phrase, “money doesn’t buy happiness.” But, Elizabeth Dunn, a professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of British Columbia, says that isn’t necessarily true. She sits down with Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN’s Chief Medical Correspondent, to talk about her research into getting the “biggest happiness bang for our bucks,” and lessons from her book, “Happy Money: The Science of Happier Spending.”
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    • 33 min
    The Habits of Happy People

    The Habits of Happy People

    Have you ever wondered why some people seem naturally happier than others? Or if there are any universal keys to happiness? Sanjay sits down with social psychologist and University of California Riverside Professor Sonja Lyubomirsky who has been studying happiness for the last 35 years. The author of The How of Happiness discusses her findings and what she calls “happiness interventions” as well as how we can apply these practices in our own lives to boost our happiness.  
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    • 34 min
    Want to be Happier? Confidence Can Help

    Want to be Happier? Confidence Can Help

    Trying new things. Setting Goals. Rebounding from setbacks.  All of these tasks have at least one thing in common – they require confidence. And according to neuropsychologist Ian Robertson, confidence can also make us happier. Robertson is the T Boone Pickens Distinguished Chair at the Center for BrainHealth, UT Dallas, an Emeritus Professor at Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland, and author of How Confidence Works: The New Science of Self Belief. He and Dr. Sanjay Gupta discuss how confidence might be the most important resource for well-being and why imposter syndrome isn’t such a bad thing. 
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    • 38 min

Customer Reviews

4.5 out of 5
7.6K Ratings

7.6K Ratings

Geanmariie ,

Is it real or delusion

I am going through a past abusive partner stalking me and people breaking in my apartment. When I leave I lock my bedroom door and front door and come home I find some things mishelved and missing. My gut is sick I get anxiety and worry.
So now I say it ll pass and I call my gf who used to be in a similar situation and we laugh I m like a worried nut and after we laugh I’m thinking boy that’s a relief. I ask myself let them in invite them in the conversation with myself makes me not care or worry it all just seems so surreal after we laugh and make light of it.

Eeyaodf ,

Apparent you’re a GREAT parent!

Hi Sanjay!
Just read your story on talking to your kiddo’s about social media/screen time.
For my money (but can it bring happiness?)
you & your wife have set smart/doable boundaries!
Through what you’ve shared, your daughter’s seem to be as adjusted as possible in our digital age.
I especially liked Soleil’s thoughts!
Kinda’ “it is what it is!”
All three were probably secret delighted you took the time to ask!
Therein, it’s your BEST parenting!
Feeling valued and important and heard,
is HUGE!
I think you got this, Doc!
~M.B. Davila-Aponte

EmLeFay ,

Timely, sensible information

In a world of bogus content — Dr. Oz, TikTok, certain lawmakers — Dr. Sanjay stands out for his science-based approach. I’ve been a fan for years and this podcast is a great go-to for useful information.

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