Conventional wisdom tells us that anxiety is 'all in our head', and that our physical symptoms are the result of our anxious thoughts. Psychiatrist Dr Ellen Vora suggest that much of what we call anxiety begins, instead, in the body. Her new book proposes that what we need instead of pharmaceuticals is an all-encompassing approach that looks beyond the brain and considers the whole person. Backed by the latest scientific research and Dr Vora's own clinical work, The Anatomy of Anxiety offers a fresh, much-needed look at mental health, suggesting actionable strategies for managing our moods. Much of our anxiety begins in the physical body, often the result of seemingly innocuous states of imbalance, such as a blood sugar crash or sleep deprivation. This type of anxiety is far more preventable than we may realise, through straightforward adjustments to our diet and lifestyle, such as reducing caffeine intake, stabilising blood sugar, prioritising rest, and rethinking our relationship to technology. Other forms of anxiety are not pathologic but, Vora suggests, should be seen as a course correction to help nudge us back onto our paths. In this instance, anxiety is not what's wrong with us, but it's here to alert us to the fact that something else is out of balance - in our bodies, our lives, or in the world around us.

This more intuitive version of anxiety, Dr Vora argues, is meant to be listened to and honoured, and we can learn simple strategies for tuning into this anxiety and allowing it to protect and guide us. In The Anatomy of Anxiety , Dr Vora walks beside us through a healing process to reframe our relationship with anxiety, and in turn create a more joyful and fulfilled life.