TMHS 725: The Truth About Anxiety & Lasting Solutions For Mental Wellness - With Dr. Ellen Vora
Sep 27, 2023
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Dr. Ellen Vora, anxiety expert and mental wellness advocate, discusses the rising rates of anxiety in America and the importance of holistic approaches to mental health. They debunk the outdated serotonin theory and emphasize the need to address physical imbalances. The podcast explores strategies for improving psycho-spiritual health, the health benefits of turmeric, and offers tips for reducing anxiety.
Blood sugar imbalances can trigger anxiety-like symptoms, and stabilizing blood sugar through dietary strategies can reduce anxiety.
Psycho-spiritual factors such as community, purpose, rituals, and service can alleviate anxiety and enhance resilience.
Recognizing the inherent fragility of the human experience and embracing a broader worldview can help alleviate anxiety and foster peace and acceptance.
Deep dives
Physical Factors Contributing to Anxiety
Anxiety can be triggered by physical factors such as blood sugar imbalances. When blood sugar crashes, the body releases stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline, which can cause anxiety-like symptoms. Keeping blood sugar stable through dietary strategies, such as consuming healthy fats or coconut oil, can help prevent blood sugar crashes and reduce anxiety.
Psycho-Spiritual Factors Contributing to Anxiety
Anxiety can also stem from psycho-spiritual factors, including the need for community, having a sense of purpose, engaging in meaningful rituals, and being of service. These aspects provide a sense of connection, grounding, and meaning, which can alleviate anxiety and enhance resilience in the face of life's challenges.
The Fragility of Human Existence and Anxiety
One of the core sources of anxiety is the inherent fragility of the human experience. Recognizing our mortality and the potential for loss can be anxiety-inducing. However, embracing a broader worldview that acknowledges a spiritual or metaphysical aspect can offer comfort and resilience. Surrendering to the unknown, finding trust, and letting go of the need for total control can help alleviate anxiety and foster a sense of peace and acceptance.
Understanding Anxiety as False Anxiety and True Anxiety
The podcast explores the concept of anxiety, distinguishing between false anxiety and true anxiety. False anxiety is described as a stress response triggered by imbalances in the body, such as blood sugar fluctuations. True anxiety, on the other hand, is framed as our inner compass, signaling when we are veering off our path and encouraging us to slow down and address what feels out of alignment. The speaker emphasizes the importance of recognizing anxiety as a communication from the body and learning to listen to its messages.
The Role of Sleep, Light, and Relationships in Anxiety
The podcast discusses the impact of sleep, light, and social dynamics on anxiety. It highlights the bidirectional relationship between sleep and mental health, emphasizing the need to prioritize good sleep as a means to improve anxiety symptoms. The importance of regulating circadian rhythm through exposure to natural light in the morning and minimizing exposure to artificial light at night is emphasized. Additionally, the podcast explores the connection between social interactions and anxiety, underscoring the significance of relationships in promoting happiness and overall well-being.
Anxiety is a natural human mechanism designed to protect us from harm. Experiencing anxiety can help optimize your reactions in dangerous situations, but today more than ever, folks are experiencing excessive anxiety in response to everyday responsibilities and activities. Millions of American suffer from anxiety, and its prevalence continues to rise.
What can we do to turn down the dial on anxiety and allow our bodies to have a more balanced reaction to everyday occurrences? That’s exactly what you’re going to learn on today’s show. Our guest, Dr. Ellen Vora, is a board-certified psychiatrist and the author of the best-selling book, The Anatomy of Anxiety. Her approach to mental health is holistic and based in functional medicine.
On this episode of The Model Health Show, you’re going to learn what anxiety actually is, some of its root causes, plus effective, applicable tips you can use to reduce symptoms of anxiety. Anxiety is one of the leading mental health issues plaguing our society today, and I know this conversation can help facilitate a better understanding and promote healing. I hope you enjoy this interview with Dr. Ellen Vora!
In this episode you’ll discover:
What percentage of Americans suffer from anxiety on an annual basis.
The truth about rising rates of anxiety.
Why we need to approach mental health from a holistic standpoint.
How physical imbalances contribute to mental imbalances.
Why mental health conditions are misunderstood.
What a false mood is.
How blood sugar impacts mental health.
Why sensitivity is a superpower.
How to use anxiety as a compass.
The bidirectional relationship between mental health and sleep.
How fine-tuning your circadian rhythm can impact your mental health.
The link between happiness and relationships.
How having a sense of meaning or purpose can affect your mental health.
What it means to understand your body’s language.
Why shaking and crying are natural releases for your body.
How identifying root causes of anxiety can help eliminate unnecessary suffering.
