Tag: Noreen Wise

Health May 15, 2019August 20, 2019

Overdose Quick Response Team | Saving Lives During Opioid Crisis

Washington (Gallant Gold Media Hill Report | Perspective | May 15, 2019)
by Noreen Wise

Huntington, West Virginia Mayor Steve Williams spoke with Axios Co-Founder Mike Allen this morning in a conversation with several other concerned leaders – Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV), Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA), and Dr. Vanila Singh Chief Medical Officer US Dept HHS – to discuss a pathway for overcoming the pain crisis in America. More than 50 million Americans are battling chronic daily pain.

Mayor Steve Williams is on the front line of the opioid crisis, speaking candidly about his growth in understanding about the size and scope of this devastating disease, stressing that it is indeed a disease rather than a crime. “We can’t arrest our way out of this.”

Williams walked the audience through his journey of understanding. Initially, his strategy had been to tackle the crisis through law enforcement, with a hard on crime approach. “River to jail.” Anyone crossing the Ohio River to sell drugs in Huntington, WV, was going straight to jail. But arresting 200 in 9 days, didn’t change the results. Drug sellers kept coming. Williams was forced to reassess the root cause of the opioid crisis. Addiction is a disease, he eventually determined. Williams explained that Americans have done a superior job at addressing cancer head on by establishing cancer institutes, and dementia by founding Alzheimer institutes, but there are no addiction institutes.

“The epidemic of addiction is the greatest existential threat facing our nation.” ~ Mayor Steve Williams, Huntington, WV

When asked about solutions for getting overdose survivors into treatment, Williams outlined Huntington’s Quick Response Team, a group of four wearing plain clothes, who immediately move into action within 24-72 hours, to help survivors following an overdose.

The Quick Response Team consists of:

Paramedic
Law Enforcement Professional
Recovery Coach
Pastor

QRT’s mission is to:

Better their community
Instill hope for people struggling with substance abuse
Offer Treatment
Show vulnerable citizens that their city cares about them

Overdose deaths In Huntington, WV have dropped by 50% since the QRT program was established. Mayor Williams’ ability to define the problem, so that he can solve it, appears to be paying off. His central message at the start of this campaign was,”Everybody, EVERYBODY, had to take ownership.” Medical system. Churches. Schools. ETC.

“If you can name it, then you can own it.” ~Mayor Steve Williams, Huntington, WV

Getting the whole Huntington community to own the crisis resulted in a turning of the tides that changed the outcome, saved lives, and revitalized the community. Excellent small scale example that can be applied in every town and city in America.

Thank you, Mayor Williams!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MWC6JebdTOY

Health, music April 27, 2019January 8, 2020

Music’s Effect On Body Chemistry

Washington (Gallant Gold Media Hill Report | Perspective | April 27, 2019)
by Noreen Wise

The science of music is spellbinding. Whether we realize it or not, so much in our lives is influenced by music. The impact is usually subliminal. However, once we’re tuned in, it becomes fairly easy to identify our body chemistry responses. And once we know how our neurotransmitters will react to certain songs or music, we can be strategic. We can play specific songs at precise moments to elicit the neurotransmitter responses we need.

For example, every year on September 11, I play “Can’t Cry Hard Enough” by the Williams Brothers (1992) all day long. Over and over and over again, to make sure I never forget. And just like the song promises, I literally can’t cry hard enough. I can’t fathom that there are very many who wouldn’t cry, or feel emotionally distraught, by this heart wrenching work. Male or female. Young or old. Every ethnicity. The words and video images of Bethesda Terrace are also impactful. But it seems that it’s the music – the instruments, the melody, and the harmony – that triggers our body’s chemical reaction. Eyes dripping with tears seems as guaranteed as when peeling an onion.

The songs we choose when we exercise can make a dramatic difference. I have a running soundtrack of top rock favorites that I’ve used for years. The songs are upbeat and fast-paced. They seem ideal. While listening to these, I can run two miles every day. Two miles isn’t very far, I realize this. But running is better exercise than walking, so it seems that my exercise routine is sufficient even though I dream of running a 5K.

I recently had the good fortune of attending a Billy Joel concert in Madison Garden. It was sensational. I left feeling very inspired. A few days later, I went running and decided to listen to “Scenes From an Italian Restaurant.” Without even realizing it, I ran an extra mile. All I did was keep replaying “Scenes from an Italian Restaurant.” I never grew tired. Easy. Within three days of maintaining this new song choice, I reached four miles. How is this possible? Especially considering that running four miles to “Scenes from a Italian Restaurant” is easier for me and more enjoyable than running two miles to my original soundtrack. So it’s clear there has to be some sort of science going on for this improbability to occur.

There are many other examples that point to a science phenomenon taking place when we’re listening to music. Retailers have fine-tuned their soundtracks to exploit this. Wegman’s focus is on 80’s top hits, honing in on who’s carrying the wallet. I could shop in Kohl’s for hours because of their exceptional music choices. Interestingly, Barnes & Noble doesn’t have influential listening music that motivates customers to buy, but rather calming, restive instrumentals, making it easy to hang out and read. The objective is clearly to sell B&N coffee. It works.

These tangible anecdotes seem to prove that music does indeed trigger neurotransmitter responses. Test it out and see for yourself. I imagine the chemical reaction can be both positive and negative. I much prefer positive neurotransmitters – serotonin, dopamine, adrenaline – but apparently some prefer dark and twisted songs that can possibly trigger aggression through body chemicals such as acetylcholine.

The song that literally saved my life when I was under extreme stress and traumatic fear for twelve straight months, believing every single night that I wouldn’t be alive when the sun rose, was “Fantasy” by Earth, Wind & Fire. I played this song every minute of every waking hour (slight hyperbole, but not too far off the mark actually). The song kept me incredibly calm, focused and aware. Over and over and over again, maintaining a trance-like response to a sustained daily threat. It seems as if “fantasy” released the much needed GABA neurotransmitter.

After experiencing these connections, it was interesting to read tonight after Google searching, an amazing article in the The Guardian that confirms the link between music and body chemistry, The science of songs: how does music affect your body chemistry?

“Research has revealed that music holds the keys to your body’s pharmacy, and can promote or suppress the release of these chemicals.” ~John Powell, physicist and author

America, Climate Action April 25, 2019August 20, 2019

Climate Action Now Act | House Vote Next Week

Washington (Gallant Gold Media Hill Report | Perspective | April 25, 2019)
by Noreen Wise

Spring is here in full bloom. Our landscapes are awash in an array of greens, as if to remind us of how vitally important it is to be aware that green matters. Daily good green habits will preserve our children’s environment, health and well-being. It’s the equivalent of how conscientious we are when we decide to eat healthy. Constant daily focus. Dozens of small decisions and choices around the clock.

Next week, is a very big week on the Hill. Not only will Attorney General Bill Barr be answering tough questions posed by the House and Senate Judiciary Committees on May 1 and 2, but the House will take a full vote on the Climate Action Now Act – HR9.

HR9: To direct the President to develop a plan for the United States to meet its nationally determined contribution under the Paris Agreement, and for other purposes.

HR9 will give the President 120 days to submit the United States Climate Action plan to assigned congressional committees as well as to the American people.

House Committees: Foreign Affairs and Energy and Commerce
Senate Committees: Foreign Relations, Environment and Public Works, and Energy and Natural Resources

The Climate Action Now Act requires that the President’s strategy explain:

How the United States will accomplish it’s contribution to the global target of an economy-wide lowering of greenhouse gas emissions by 26 – 28% by 2025; the targeted percent is the reduction below the 2005 level
How the United States will make use of the transparency provisions contained within the Paris Agreement to confirm that other parties have achieved their contribution
Every year the President will be required to update the United States Climate Action plan and submit to the aforementioned committees and the American people

We’re all in this together. The Paris Agreement was adopted on December 12, 2015 and signed by 175 nations across the globe.

We can do this. TELL CONGRESS to vote YES to HR9. Global Warming and Climate Change is apolitical. It’s our common ground. HR9 is the one bill that should get a unanimous YES vote on both sides of the aisle.

Climate Action, Climate Change, Environment March 29, 2019September 3, 2019

Fallen Trees in Forest | Time To Reforest

Washington (Gallant Gold Media Hill Report | Opinion | March 29, 2019)
by Noreen Wise

I run along the winding forest trail every evening, headphones blaring, so many things on my mind. I notice the fallen trees. I marvel at how massive the roots are, stunned by the way they seem to creep beneath the surface as deeply as they grow tall.

Today it suddenly dawned on me, that when we see fallen trees in a forest, we should plant new ones in the same vicinity. More than one perhaps. We don’t even have to wait for anyone to direct us, although I guess I’ll inquire at town hall just to be on the safe side. Who would actually notice if a tree-loving, anti-Global Warming citizen planted a barrel of trees, though.

It never really occurred to me before that:

“Reforesting & restoring mangrove forests are a key solution for Climate Action. They act as a barrier against floods & storm surges caused by rising sea levels, erratic rains, land degradation & erosion.” ~UN Environment

Any Climate Action project that’s this simple, easy, economical and fun is going to be a winner. A newly planted tree is like a new friend. I can’t wait to watch it grow. I’ve read that trees can communicate, so this will be another positive benefit. I can conduct tests. Scientific experiment of sorts. For example, if I stop and talk to the tree every day after I run, will it grow taller faster? Will it be stronger than otherwise? It’ll be exciting to find out.

“Trees exhale for us so that we can inhale them to stay alive. Can we ever forget that? Let us love trees with every breath we take until we perish.” ~Munia Khan

You know something’s a really big deal, when citizens from the state with the Senator who’s the strongest anti-environment advocate in the Legislature, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, are hosting their 20th annual “Reforest the Bluegrass” event tomorrow March 30, 2019, the last Saturday of the month. Good luck and have fun, Kentuckians! You may want to plant ten times as many trees as other states to offset all the coal carbon. Again, thank you!

“The best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago. The second best time is now.” ~Chinese Proverb

Climate Change, Environment, Health March 17, 2019August 20, 2019

Think Green When Making Weekend & Vacation Plans

Washington (Gallant Gold Media Hill Report | Perspective | March 17, 2019)
by Noreen Wise

GREEN should forever be at the forefront of our minds whenever we make weekend plans as well as vacation plans.

Climate Action, is nothing more than a resolution. A proposal. An urgent call of action to help address the most challenging crisis facing America and every nation around the world. Climate change impacts all of us. The traumatic reality brings our diverse global population together through a shared purpose.

With the arrival of spring, we can move into the GREEN fast lane and start planting trees. As many trees as space allows. Pakistan has planted over a billion trees. The most important step for us to remember here in America is that steady consistency is the best path forward. Let’s be inclusive. Let’s create a vision for solving this crisis that the vast majority will identify with and participate in. No closed doors. No closed minds.

Here’s a quick lesson on how to properly plant a tree:

Have fun! Make it a family or friend event. It’s wonderful to know that around the world, communities are gathering to plant trees. Not only will this reduce carbon, it will provide cleaner oxygen and a more beautiful environment that will add cheer to our lives. Health and beauty are worth fighting hard for.

Climate Change March 12, 2019August 20, 2019

Climate Strike | Young Voices That Haunt

Washington (Gallant Gold Media Hill Report | Perspective | March 12, 2019)
by Noreen Wise

Children are often far more intuitive than adults. They have natural child’s intuition, similar to our pet’s intuition. Children are excellent at reading body language, with an uncanny ability to accurately deduce what kind of day we’re having without us saying a word.

Further, children are observant, typically hyper observant. When walking along a sidewalk, or driving the familiar route to school, a child will notice if the Lopez’s tulips have suddenly blossomed, or if the Wilsons’ painted their front door, whereas we adults may not. Young children are that much closer to the ground and thus silently absorb any number of signals from nature about its well being. Their memories are extremely sharp, recollecting with great accuracy if the water level along the river bank is higher this year than it was several years ago.

Children are idealists. We teach them what’s right. Provide for them a strong moral code to live by. They trust it. They believe that we live by the same code. They expect adults to practice what we preach.

The Climate Strike, led by alarmed children reaching out to adults and demanding that we please “panic” about their Climate Change plight, the same way they are, intuitively projects that the point of no return will land squarely on their shoulders. Doomsday will arrive when they’re graduating from college, launching into their young adult lives. Do we remember our blissful 20’s? Instead, these terrified Americans will have to suffer the consequences of our indifference, of our blind eye. They’re profound Climate Strike message arrives at the right time and in the tone. An urgent plea for help. If only our president could stand up with the rest of us and do something noble.

In a New York Times article, the founder of Climate Strike, 16 year old Greta Thunberg of Sweden, had a very poignant message for adults:

“‘Adults keep saying, “We owe it to the young people to give them hope,’ she said. ‘But I don’t want your hope. I don’t want you to be hopeful. I want you to panic. I want you to feel the fear I feel every day. And then I want you to act.’”

No adult with a conscience wants children to endure this type of fear, and yet so many do. In the United States, children and teens already feel terrified with Active Shooter Lock Down Drills in their schools. If our action will help alleviate their young troubled minds, then let’s get to it. This forward path should be a very simple daily roadmap that will become a powerful force for curbing global warming and brightening the future outlook of today’s youth.

Find a Climate Strike event near you…

Health March 12, 2019September 3, 2019

Happiness Recipe | Health

Washington (Gallant Gold Media Hill Report | Perspective | March 11, 2019)
by Noreen Wise

Is happiness actually simple? Is it at least more simple than we may realize? As it turns out, an essential part of the happiness feeling, the good mood we all want to possess when we start our day, has a lot to do with what we eat for breakfast, as well as how much sunlight, or bright light we get every 24 hours. Aerobic exercise makes a big difference, too.

Happiness really isn’t very complicated.

There are more than 100 neurotransmitters in our brain, with four major ones that work together to stimulate or inhibit our moods. Our mission therefore should be to safely elevate the positive, happy, cheerful good mood neurotransmitters through a simple, easy routine. Equally important, is releasing the calming neurotransmitters when we’re stressed or worried. Our mood affects our perceptions. The glass half full and the glass half empty is the exact same glass.

We’re much happier when we can find the positive side of any negative situation – making lemonade out of lemons.

What are these four major important neurotransmitters that regulate our mood?

Dopamine – “motivation molecule” that makes us more “productive”
Norepinephrine – fight or flight stress response
Serotonin – happiness booster
GABA – regulates anxiety

There are a few easy and delicious food items that quickly release dopamine, and are wonderful at breakfast. Starting the day on the bright side, seems to kick-off a cheerful chain reaction:

1/4 cup sunflower seeds
6 little squares of dark chocolate (Cadbury is a personal favorite); milk chocolate is NOT the same and will not have same effect
Large tablespoon of 100% dark cacao powder mixed with 1/2 teaspoon of organic cane sugar and 1/3 cup boiling water
It’s best to stay away from sugar the rest of the day, except for fruits like bananas and tangerines, etc

Absorbing sunlight (or bright light) through our eyes increases serotonin levels. In order for this to be effective, we have to safely take off our sunglasses so we can fully absorb the sunshine. Finding sporadic moments during the day is well worth the hunt. The office patio for a coffee break. A walk outdoors during lunch can also be a great pick-me-up. When the days get longer in May, June and July, there’s still sunlight in the late afternoon and early evening. When we find good reasons to be outside in the evening, we often feel that much more carefree when the sun goes down.

Aerobic exercise, particularly walking and/or running, is another simple trick that boosts serotonin. Exercise is also a great way to ensure a good nights sleep. Sleep deprivation reeks havoc on our neurotransmitters. Again, keeping our body’ chemistry in balance begins with the melatonin neurotransmitter lulling us into deep sleep. Easiest way to make sure to reach deep sleep is by wearing eye shields to bed. Complete darkness is everything.

One day at a time. Building excellent daily health and happiness habits serves us well throughout our lives. The key is to master these essentials — sunflowers seeds & dark chocolate, sunlight and exercise — so that they become as routine as brushing our teeth.