This three-part series explores ways to improve social relationships, learn to cope with depression and anxiety and become more positive, resilient individuals. The series host, Harvard psychologist and best-selling author of Stumbling on Happiness, Professor Daniel Gilbert, talks with experts about the latest science on what makes us ""tick"" and how we can find support for the emotional issues we all face.
Each episode weaves the compelling personal stories of ordinary people and the latest scientific research, along with revealing comments from celebrities such as Chevy Chase, Larry David, Alanis Morissette, Robert Kennedy Jr. and Richard Gere.
Professor Gilbert, whose research examines why people so often mispredict what will make them happy, says, ""Science has revealed three important facts about happiness: You can't be happy alone; you can't be happy all the time; you can be happier than you are. Our three shows examine each of these three facts.""
Episode 1: Family, Friends & Lovers
The first episode looks at the importance of relationships and why they are central to our emotional well-being. What are the cognitive and neurological processes underpinning our everyday interactions, and can they help us to understand why some relationships flourish and others fail?
Episode 2: Facing Our Fears
In the second episode, we look at emotions that are commonly regarded as obstacles to happiness - such as anger, fear, anxiety and despair. Why do we have these emotions and how can we best manage them? Our brains are designed for survival, and the negative emotions they create are vital to that mission. But those negative emotions can spiral out of control with debilitating effects.
Episode 3: Rethinking Happiness
Finally, the last episode explores happiness. It is so critical to our well-being and, yet, it remains such an elusive goal for many of us. What is it, why is it important and how can we attain more of it?
The film is complemented by a content-rich Web site, www.pbs.org/thisemotionallife. It provides vetted resources and opportunities to build social support networks around topics highlighted in the series, such as the importance of early attachment, how to heal strained or damaged relationships, PTSD, stress, depression, grief, resilience and our pursuit of happiness.
The Web site is the centerpiece of a nationwide outreach campaign, extending the reach of the project beyond the broadcast. The effort provides people with valuable information, offers access to mechanisms for social support and helps mitigate the stigma attached to mental illness.
Producer: Jesse Sweet, Alexis Bloom, Sabin Streeter
Production Year: 2009
Copyright Year: 2009
Host: Daniel Gilbert
Discs: 3
DVI: Y
Audio Format: Stereo
Aspect Ratio: 16x9 Widescreen