This week, Kate Kunkel interviews Dr. Nafisa Sekandari, a licensed clinical psychologist, specializing in anxiety based disorders. Since mental health issues, including anxiety and depression, are well-known risk factors for dementia, this week’s discussion with Dr. Nafisa Sekandari, licensed clinical psychologist, is very important when considering your brain health. We know that medications prescribed for mental health issues have many serious side effects and do not solve the root of any problem, and the medications themselves can and do have serious effects on the brain. But Dr. Sekandari has a holistic and integrative approach to creating long term control of anxiety, without medication or long-term therapy. You’ll learn some amazing tools to nip panic attacks and overcome anxiety in this inspiring podcast.  Dr. Nafisa Sekandari is a licensed clinical psychologist who specializes in anxiety based disorders, and through holistic and integrative interventions, helps her patients and online course students create long term control of their anxiety and OCD symptoms, without medication or long term therapy.   Her recent book "Calm Within: Transform Anxiety Naturally With The 3 Step AIM Program" was recently published and is available on amazon.com and where ever books are sold.     Some highlights of the show:  03:00 Anxiety does not manifest the same in everybody  04:43 The connection between gut health and mental health, specifically, anxiety 06:35 Remove the stigma by demonstrating the physical reality of anxiety 08:15 Do genetics play a role? 10:46 So many kinds of anxiety – what about OCD? 16:03 Stress, inflammation and anxiety 18:29 How to use positive self-talk to reduce anxiety 22:35 The most important hours for the best sleep – this is important!!! 24:45 Dr. Sekandari shares powerful tips to get the best sleep 26:51 How to stop a panic attack 32:06 How to reach Dr. Sekandari To learn about Dr. Sekandari’s Transforming Anxiety Conference (January 2024) visit https://www.transforminganxiety.com/attend   Website: https://www.transforminganxiety.com      Instagram: dr_nafisa_sekandari Linked in: dr-nafisa-sekandari Youtube: @DrNafisaSekandari Start your Brain Health Journey with Five Easy Things you can do Right Now to Improve Your Brain https://harplady.lpages.co/five-steps-to-a-better-brain/ To learn even more about the power of a whole foods, plant-based diet for a healthier brain, check out Kate’s books, "Don't Let the Memories Fade", "The Vegan Brain" and "The Musical Brain" Check out the Brain Health Matters BLOG for many more ways to improve your brain and your life!