This week, Joy chats with Dr. Ellen Vora, a holistic psychiatrist, acupuncturist, and yoga teacher. She takes a functional medicine approach to mental health by considering the whole person and addressing bodily imbalances at their root. Dr. Vora received a B.A. from Yale University, an M.D. from Columbia University, and is board-certified in psychiatry and integrative holistic medicine. She is the author of the new bestseller, The Anatomy of Anxiety and she’s here to share her evidence-based approach to holistic mental health.  In this episode Dr. Vora discusses the root causes of anxiety and the variety of holistic tools she uses to support her patients. Her approach looks at the whole person and all the dietary and lifestyle tools they can use to not just alleviate symptoms, but truly heal on a deep level. She discusses the difference between “true” and “false” anxiety and the empowering knowledge that these “false” anxieties are relatively easy to correct based on her recommendations.  If you struggle with anxiety, you won’t want to miss Dr. Vora’s grounded and gentle approach to healing. This episode is packed with actionable steps you can start incorporating straight away to nourish your body and soothe your nervous system. So settle in with a pen and paper because you won’t want to miss a single one of her powerful recommendations!   Episode Highlights:  Dr. Vora’s transition from strictly allopathic medicine to a more holistic approach.  How her health journey led her down this path to integrative medicine.  Dr. Vora’shealth struggles with low mood, anxiety, migraines, PCOS, rashes, and digestive issues.  The importance of our environment on our health. Why mental health is never just the physical OR the psychologica, but bothl.  How changing your physical inputs can impact your mental health. How Dr. Vora incorporates TCM, Ayurveda, acupuncture & yoga in her treatment of anxiety.  The power of being heard by your practitioner on your healing journey. The role of intuition in Dr. Vora’s practice and the journey she took to trust herself.  Dr. Vora’s top tip to help you tap into your intuition.  The important difference between intuition, fear, and future-tripping.  What Dr. Vora means when she describes “false” anxiety.  How the stress response impacts the brain.  The physical causes of false anxiety, including blood sugar imbalance. How to tell the difference between true and false anxiety.  Why it’s important to connect with, and act on, our true anxiety.  How Dr. Vora differentiates between true and false anxiety in her practice.  How dealing with false anxiety provides a grounded foundation to deal with true anxiety. The importance of a softer approach to nutrition and mental health.  Actionable steps for dealing with false anxiety.  The importance of sleep when starting your mental health healing journey.  How to get a better night’s sleep by supporting the circadian rhythm.  What happens when we don’t get a good night’s sleep. What the glymph system does to support mental health.  The important link between gut health and mental health.  Why it’s hard to be adequately nourished in the modern food landscape.  Some foods that can exacerbate mental health like gluten, dairy, sugar, and vegetable oils. Why we need to maintain a sense of ease around food and nourishment.  How chronic inflammation impacts the part of the brain that deals with threat detection.  Why cultivating a supportive community is so important for mental health.  How you can support your children’s mental resilience as a parent.   Resources: Ellen Vora, MD on Instagram  The Anatomy of Anxiety Book Ellen Vora, MD’s Website Ellen Vora, MD on Facebook Ellen Vora, MD on TikTok Ellen Vora, MD on YouTube How to Control Anxiety Online Program Managing Depression Online Program   More about Joyous Health:   Check out our award-winning blog Joyous Health