CNN's Dr. Sanjay Gupta Connects Happiness and Health

'Tis the season to be happy -- right? While some Scrooges might diss these two holiday-filled months as little more than stress, angst, gluttony, commercialism and eye-blinding glitter, others are promoting happiness.

Folks like Dr. Sanjay Gupta, for instance. Gupta is a board-certified neurosurgeon who serves as senior medical correspondent for CNN's health and medical unit, produces the half-hour "House Call with Dr. Sanjay Gupta" program each weekend, and covers breaking medical news.

This morning's segment, "Happiness and Your Health" [8:30 a.m. EST], was, in itself, an inspiring program. Replete with credible info about the power of meditation, laughter, exercise and yoga to promote happiness, the show left viewers with the notion that they could actually create joy for themselves and, thus, generate good health; e.g., reduced stress, stronger immune system.

Dr. Gupta's guests included Barry Kerzin, a doctor and American Buddhist monk, whose focused meditation practice -- up to 12 hours per day -- generates bliss that shows up in an area of the brain where researchers think happiness lives: the left prefrontal cortex. Somehow, Kerzin and others well practiced at meditation can manipulate their feelings to last for minutes and minutes and minutes, sustained over time.

Other guests included Richard Davidson, a mind-body connection expert; Daniel Gilbert, Harvard University professor and author of "Stumbling on Happiness"; and Dan Gottlieb, radio talk-show host and family therapist.

Suffice to say, the show is must-see TV for anyone who aims to create happiness for their spirits, minds and bodies. The good news? It airs again tomorrow [Sunday, Nov. 19], at 8:30 a.m. EST on CNN. If you happen to miss the broadcast, you'll find the show's complete transcript here: http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0611/18/hcsg.01.html

Even better news: Tomorrow evening, at 10 p.m. EST, Dr. Gupta's one-hour special, "Happiness and Your Health: The Surprising Connection," will expound on the mind-body link between happiness and health. Tune in! If you happen to miss that, too, here's the transcript: http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0611/19/se.01.html

Finally, for further insights and info about the happiness-health connection, go to: http://cnn.com/happiness
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Click here for Daniel Gilbert's top-selling "Stumbling on Happiness"