In this premiere episode, the host, Angie Gust, introduces John Travis’s Wellness Energy System-the 12 dimensions of wellness.  The first dimension, self-responsibility and self-love, is discussed and the connection is made between personal health and wellness and the health and wellness of our planet Earth.  Several facts about the climate crisis are noted from the Climate Reality Leadership training that the host attended in March 2019 and several personal actions are suggested so that everyone can be part of the solution.

References

CDC. 2017. New CDC report: More than 100 million Americans have diabetes or prediabetes https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2017/p0718-diabetes-report.html

CDC. 2017. Cancers Associated with Overweight and Obesity Make up 40 percent of Cancers Diagnosed in the United States https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2017/p1003-vs-cancer-obesity.html

CDC. 2018. Adult obesity facts. https://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/adult.html

Climate Reality Project. March 14-16, 2019 training, Atlanta GA.

NAACP. Coal Blooded: Putting profits before people. http://www.naacp.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/CoalBlooded.pdf

Travis, J and Ryan, R. The Wellness Workbook, 3rd ed: How to Achieve Enduring Health and Vitality.   2004, Ten Speed Press, New York.

Episode 2:  In this episode, the host, Angie Gust, continues using John Travis’s 12 dimensions of wellness as a framework to talk about personal health and wellness.  This episode focuses on breathing and how breathing and meditation can elicit the relaxation response.  The climate crisis is discussed in terms of its negative effect on respiratory health. Several personal actions are suggested so that everyone can be part of the solution.

References

Andrews, TM. Independent. April 10, 2017.  Kentucky coal mining museum installs solar panels because it will save money. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/kentucky-coal-museum-harlan-county-solar-panels-install-save-money-renewable-energy-green-fossil-a7676086.html

Asthman and Allergy Foundation of America. https://www.aafa.org/climate-and-health/ 

Chen S, Bloom DE. The macroeconomic burden of noncommunicable diseases associated with airpollutionin China. PLoS One. 2019, 18;14(4):e0215663. 

D’Amato, G, Cecchi, L. Effects of climate change on environmental factors in respiratory allergic diseases. Clin Exp Allergy 2008; 38: 1264–1274. 

D'Amato G, Cecchi L, Amato M, et al. Climate change and respiratory diseases. European Respiratory Review. 2014; 23(132):161-69.  

D'Amato G, Baena-Cagani CE, Cecchi L, et al. Climate change, air pollution, and extreme events leading to increasing prevalence of allergic respiratory diseases. Multidisciplinary Respiratory Medicine.2013:12 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3598823/pdf/2049-6958-8-12.pdf

Epel, ES, Jue Lin, EH, Dhabhar, FS,Adler, NE, Morrow, JD, and  Cawthon, RM. Accelerated telomere shortening in response to life stress.Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2004 Dec 7; 101(49): 17312–17315. 

Epel E, Daubenmier J, Moskowitz JT, Folkman S, Blackburn E. Can meditation slow rate of cellular aging? Cognitive stress, mindfulness, and telomeres. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences. 2009;1172(1):34–53. 

Gimon, E, O’Boyle, Clack, CTM, McKee, S. March 2019. The coal cost cross over: Economic viability of existing coal compared to new local wind and solar resources. https://energyinnovation.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Coal-Cost-Crossover_Energy-Innovation_VCE_FINAL.pdf

Hoge, EA, Hölzel, BK, Marques, L, Metcalf, CA., Brach, N, Lazar, SW., & Simon, N. M. (2013). Mindfulness and self-compassion in generalized anxiety disorder: Examining predictors of disability. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2013.

International Renewable Energy Agency. https://www.irena.org/publications/2019/Mar/Renewable-Capacity-Statistics-2019

Schutte NS, Malouff JM. A meta-analytic review of the effects of mindfulness meditation on telomerase activity. Psychoneuroendocrinology.2014;42:45–48. 

Travis, J, Ryan, R. The Wellness Workbook, 3rd ed: How to Achieve Enduring Health and Vitality. 2004, Ten Speed Press, New York.

ZiskaLH, Beggs PJ. Anthropogenic climate change and allergen exposure: the role of plant biology. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2012; 129: 27–32.

Episode 3:  In this episode, the host, Angie Gust, continues discussing John Travis’s 12 dimensions of wellness as a way to touch on all aspects of personal health and wellness. This episode focuses on sensing and how caring for and working to improve our senses will enhance our overall wellness. She also discusses climate change and highlights the upcoming Climate Action Summit, organized by UN Secretary-General António Guterres, September 23, 2019.  He is asking global leaders for specific doable plans to enhance their nationally determined contributions by 2020. Several personal actions are suggested so that everyone can be part of the solution.

References

Al-Ayash, A, Kane, R, Smith, D, Green-Armytage, P.The influence of color on student emotion, heart rate, and performance in learning environments. Color Research & Application, 2015; 41(2).

Berk, L and Tan, S. The Laughter-immune connection. American Association of Therapeutic Humor, 1996. http://www.hospitalclown.com/archives/vol-02/vol-2-1and2/vol2-2berk.PDF

Coles, S. Mottainai vs methane:The case for textile recycling. ReNew Magazine, 2016; 136:34-37. https://textilebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/ReNew-magazine-textile-recycling-article-2016.pdf

Denworth, L. 2019. Children change their parents’ minds about climate change. Scientific American.

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/children-change-their-parents-minds-about-climate-change/ 

Hadhazy, A. Why Does the Sound of Water Help You Sleep? Live Science. 2016 https://www.livescience.com/53403-why-sound-of-water-helps-you-sleep.html

Light KC, Grewen KM, Amico JA, Boccia M, Brownley KA, Johns JM. Deficits in plasma oxytocin responses and increased negative affect, stress, and blood pressure in mothers with cocaine exposure during pregnancy. Addict Behav. 2004;29(8):1541–1564. doi:10.1016/j.addbeh.2004.02.062

Lundberg, T. Long-term results of vibratory stimulation as a pain relieving measure for chronic pain. Pain 1984, 20: 13-23.

Rajendra K. Pachauri et al., Climate Change 2014: Synthesis Report. Contribution to the Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Cambridge University Press, Topics 1 and 2 (November 2, 2014): 40-62. https://www.ipcc.ch/site/assets/uploads/2018/05/SYR_AR5_FINAL_full_wcover.pdf

Safi, M. India plans nearly 60% of electricity capacity from non-fossil fuels by 2027.  The Guardian, December 22, 2016. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/dec/21/india-renewable-energy-paris-climate-summit-target

Tercek, M.  The Climate challenge unites us. Nature Conservancy 2018 https://www.nature.org/en-us/explore/magazine/magazine-articles/the-climate-challenge-unites-us

The Economic Times. India to achieve 175 GW renewable energy ahead of 2022 deadline. February 23, 2018. https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/energy/power/india-to-achieve-175-gw-renewable-energy-ahead-of-2022-deadline/articleshow/63046393.cms

Travis, J and Ryan, R. The Wellness Workbook, 3rd ed: How to Achieve Enduring Health and Vitality. 2004, Ten Speed Press, New York.

Episode 4:  In this episode, the host, Angie Gust, continues discussing John Travis’s 12 dimensions of wellness as a way to improve your own personal health and wellness. This episode focuses on eating and the benefits of a whole food plant-based diet. She also discusses food choices in terms of climate change. For instance, eating beef and lamb has a larger greenhouse gas impact than grain, fruits and vegetables. Several personal actions are suggested so that everyone can be part of the solution.

References

Campbell, T. Colin, Chen, J and Parpia, B. Diet, lifestyle and the etiology of coronary artery disease: the Cornell China Study. The American J of Cardiology 1998: 82(10) supplement 2; 18-21.

Clune, S, Crossin, E, Verghese K. Systematic review of greenhouse gas emissions for different fresh food categories. J of Cleaner Production. 2017; 140: 766783.

Campbell TC, Campbell TM II. Broken hearts. In: Campbell TC, Campbell TM II. The China Study. Dallas, TX: BenBella Books; 2006:111-134.

Esselstyn CB Jr, Ellis SG, Medendorp SV, et al. A strategy to arrest and reverse coronary artery disease: a 5-year longitudinal study of a single physician’s practice. J Fam Pract. 1995;41: 560-568.

Esselstyn Jr, CB, Gina Gendy, G,  Doyle, J, Golubic, M,  Roizen, MF. A way to reverse CAD?  The J Family Practice,  63; 7: 356-364.

Greger, M. Want to be healthier? Change your taste buds. Nutrition Facts.org https://nutritionfacts.org/2014/06/24/want-to-be-healthier-change-your-taste-buds/

Lisle, D and Goldhamer, A. The Pleasure Trap – Mastering the Hidden Force that Undermines Health and Happiness  2006. Healthy Living Publications.

Meyers, SS,  Zanobetti, A Itai Kloog, I, Huybers4, P, Leakey, ADB.  Increasing CO2threatens human nutrition.  Nature, 2014; 510:139–142.

Travis, J and Ryan, R. The Wellness Workbook, 3rd ed: How to Achieve Enduring Health and Vitality. 2004, Ten Speed Press, New York

Episode 6:  In this episode, the host, Angie Gust, continues discussing John Travis’s 12 dimensions of wellness as a way to improve your own personal health and wellness.  This episode focuses on feeling and how to be truly well, it is important to express all of your feelings.  She also discusses the outcome of the Climate Action Summit held in New York on September 23rd which unfortunately, was less than stellar.  Several personal actions are suggested, such as reducing consumption of single-use plastics, so that everyone can be part of the solution.

References 

Bastin, JF, Yelena Finegold, Y, Garcia, C, Mollicone , D, Rezende, M, Routh, D, Zohner, CM, Crowther, TW. The global tree restoration potential. Science, 2019; 365 (6448): 76 DOI: 10.1126/science.aax0848

Calderón-Garcidueñas L., Calderón-Garcidueñas A., Torres-Jardón R., et al. 2015. Air pollution and your brain: what do you need to know right now. Primary Health Care Research and Development, 16, 329–345. 

Garden Rewilding lawns and gardens into miniature rainforests. https://theconversation.createsend.com/t/ViewEmailInIFrame/r/7B54ED2D0B67098E2540EF23F30FEDED/C67FD2F38AC4859C/?tx=0

Ifran, U. Sep 24, 2019. The UN Climate Action Summit was a disappointment. Vox. https://www.vox.com/2019/9/24/20880416/un-climate-action-summit-2019-greta-thunberg-trump-china-india

Kessler, RC, Sergio Aguilar-Gaxiola, Jordi Alonso, Corina Benjet, Evelyn J. Bromet,et al. 2017. Trauma and PTSD in the WHO World Mental Health Surveys, European Journal of Psychotraumatology, 8:sup5, DOI: 10.1080/20008198.2017.1353383

Lundberg A. 1996. Psychiatric aspects of air pollution. Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, 114, 227–231.

Oudin A., Bråbäck L., Âström D. O., et al. 2016. Association between neighbourhood air pollution concentrations and dispensed medication for psychiatric disorders in a large longitudinal cohort of Swedish children and adolescents. BMJ Open, 6, e010004

Sengupta. S, Friedman, L. Sept. 23, 2019 updated Sept. 24, 2019. At U.N. Climate Summit, Few Commitments and U.S. Silence. Accessed 5 Oct 2019.

Szyszkowicz M., Frank-Cannon T. C., Alto L. T., McAlpine F. E., et al. 2009. Does neuroinflammation fan the flame in neurodegenerative diseases? Molecular Neurodegeneration, 4, 7.

United States Global Change Research Program (USGCRP) (2016) The Impacts of Climate Change on Human Health in the United States: A Scientific Assessment. United States Global Change Research Program.

Van Susteren, L The psychological impacts of the climate crisis: a call to action. BJPsych Int. 2018 May; 15(2): 25–26. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6020909/

Weir K. 2012. Smog in our brains: researchers are identifying startling connections between air pollution and decreased cognition and well-being. American Psychological Association, 43, 32.

Willey J. B., Grafstein E., et al. 2010. Air pollution and emergency department visits for suicide attempts in Vancouver, Canada. Environmental Health Insights, 4, 79–86.

Episode 7:  In this episode, the host, Angie Gust, continues discussing John Travis’s 12 dimensions of wellness as a way to improve your own personal health and wellness.  This episode focuses on thinking and how optimism is related to your ability to use the placebo effect to help your health and on the other hand, how pessimism increases the chances that you will have negative physiologic outcomes- the nocebo effect.  She also discusses the C40 Cities  which organizes the World Mayor’s Summit each year –most recently Oct 9-12 in Copenhagen, and how they are working to address climate change. Several personal actions are suggested, such as participating in the political process, so that everyone can be part of the solution.

References

BBC News. Unilever to cut plastic use to appeal to Gen Z.Accessed 1 Oct 2019 https://www.bbc.com/news/business-49923460 7 October 2019

Beacom, N. Planting native prairie could be a secret weapon for farmers.  Accessed 14 October 2019 https://civileats.com/2019/10/15/planting-native-prairie-could-be-a-secret-weapon-for-farmers/

C40 Cities. Accessed 28 Oct 2019 https://www.c40.org

Benfield, K. 2012 What communities should do to protect against climate change. Accessed 21 Oct 2019 https://www.citylab.com/equity/2012/03/what-communities-should-do-protect-against-climate-change/1562/ 

Carbon Offsets to Alleviate Poverty. Accessed 28 Oct 2019 https://cotap.org/reduce-carbon-footprint/

Curtis, S. Oct 15, 2019. Mayors of 94 cities are taking the Green New Deal global, as states fail to act on climate crisis. The Conversation. Accessed 16 Oct 2019.  http://theconversation.com/mayors-of-94-cities-are-taking-the-green-new-deal-global-as-states-fail-to-act-on-climate-crisis-125282

Horovitz, B. Oct 14, 2019. From the rooftops, Big Box Stores are embracing solar. Accessed 16 Oct 2019 https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/07/business/energy-environment/rooftop-solar-panels-retailers.html

Housman, J. Oct 21, 2019. Accessed 22 Oct 2019 With this new label, climate neutral gear may take a big leap forward. https://www.adventure-journal.com/2019/10/with-this-new-label-climate-neutral-gear-may-take-take-big-leap-forward/

Episode 8:  In this episode, the host, Angie Gust, continues discussing John Travis’s 12 dimensions of wellness as a way to improve your own personal health and wellness.  This episode focuses on work and play. Angie points out how work and play are connected and form the foundation of our lives. She further suggests that maintaining a good balance between work and play will improve your overall wellness. With regard to the environment, she discusses the New York Times opinion piece from October that stated that climate change will cost us even more than we think and draws attention to the December 6th (2019) US nationwide climate strike. Several personal actions are suggested, such as buying holiday gifts with the planet in mind e.g.  donating to organizations that are helping the planet in someone’s name, so that everyone can be part of the solution.

References

McMahon, J. Jan 23, 2017. 9 things you can do about climate change. Accessed 22 November 2019 https://www.forbes.com/sites/jeffmcmahon/2017/01/23/nine-things-you-can-do-about-climate-change/#20744e38680c

Oreskes, N and Stern, N. Oct. 23, 2019. Climate Change Will Cost Us Even More Than We Think. Accessed 18 November 2019  https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/23/opinion/climate-change-costs.html

Project Drawdown. Accessed 15 November 2019  https://www.drawdown.org/solutions

Vigdor, N. Oct 11, 2019.  Accessed 12 October 2019 Jane Fonda Arrested During Climate Protest Outside U.S. Capitol https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/11/us/jane-fonda-arrested.html