17 - A Functional Medicine Approach to Anxiety with Dr. Ellen Vora
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Description
True healing requires addressing the root cause of the problem, not just suppressing the symptoms.
When it comes to things like anxiety, the conventional medical approach is to go straight to medication. Unfortunately, these can often lead to undesirable side effects, which are then treated with additional medicines, and the snowball effect continues.
As a functional medicine practitioner, today’s guest, Dr. Ellen Vora, believes in a holistic perspective. Her approach is focused on creating lives in which her patients can thrive. I was so excited to have Ellen on the show because I’ve been obsessed with her content since we met a few months ago. She shares incredible information about anxiety and mental health, and I find her approach really refreshing.
In this conversation, Ellen and I discuss the problem with the conventional approach to mental health, the mind-body connection, tuning in to your intuition, the major causes of anxiety, a series of tools, habits, and practices that can help you overcome anxiety, and more. I loved this conversation, and I know you will too.
Let's pull joy in together!
ABOUT DR. ELLEN VORA
Ellen Vora, MD, is a board-certified psychiatrist, acupuncturist, and yoga teacher, and she is the author of the bestselling book The Anatomy of Anxiety. She takes a functional medicine approach to mental health—considering the whole person and addressing imbalance at the root. Dr. Vora received her B.A. from Yale University and her M.D. from Columbia University.
HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE EPISODE
What brought Ellen joy as a child, and what brings her joy today
Ellen’s disenchantment with conventional medicine and her shift toward a functional approach
Being pushed by the medical system to be satisfied with using medication to mask symptoms
The medication snowball that can come from focusing on symptoms and ignoring root causes
The need to explore both physical and psychospiritual root causes
Understanding the mind-body connection and learning to communicate with your body
Recognizing the power of balancing the feminine and masculine energies in your body
The major factors that can lead to false and true anxiety
Improving your sleep, in turn, improves your mental health
Why we need to optimize our circadian rhythm and simple ways to get started
The far-reaching benefits of stabilizing your blood sugar
Ellen’s thoughts on melatonin and caffeine
Supporting yourself and honoring your sensitivity as a gift
Mental and physical health considerations for those who choose a vegetarian or vegan diet
Giving your brain the raw materials to function well
The problems with the current food landscape
A simple approach to creating balanced meals
CONNECT WITH DR. ELLEN VORA
Ellen Vora’s Website | EllenVora.com
Ellen Vora on Instagram @EllenVoraMD
Ellen Vora’s Book | The Anatomy of Anxiety: Understanding and Overcoming the Body's Fear Response
MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Liz Plank’s Book | For the Love of Men: From Toxic to a More Mindful Masculinity
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