E402– "Inner Voice: A Heartfelt Chat with Dr. Foojan Zeine." In this episode, Dr. Foojan Zeine chats with Tami Kiekhaefer, LCSW, a seasoned psychotherapist with nearly 25 years in private practice. As the author of From Chaos to Calm: A Six-Step Strategy to Break Through Anxiety and Preparing for the Jungle: Avoiding Snakes and Pitfalls on the Path to Healthy Love, she empowers high-achieving women to break free from anxiety, trauma, and relationship challenges. Tami's approach blends practical strategies with deep self-awareness, helping clients build confidence and resilience. She offers virtual, confidential sessions via phone and Zoom, making support accessible no matter where you are. www.healthyhealing.net # 1 on the 20 Best California Mental Health Podcasts list by FeedSpot. https://podcasts.feedspot.com/california_mental_health_podcasts Check out my website: www.FoojanZeine.com, www.AwarenessIntegration.com, www.Foojan.com Summary Dr. and Tami discussed the topic of anxiety, its normality, and its impact on individuals. Tami emphasized the importance of recognizing the roots of anxiety, which she identified as a lack of control over one's environment and negative thought patterns. She also highlighted the significance of being aware of one's body and managing its symptoms to prevent anxiety from spiraling out of control. They discussed the benefits of body-centered yoga and meditation techniques for stress management. Tami shared her experience of using these techniques to lower her blood pressure and emphasized the importance of breathing exercises. Dr. suggested incorporating singing into breathing exercises to make them more enjoyable. They also discussed the prevalence of panic attacks masquerading as heart attacks, with Tami estimating that around 80% of ER visits for suspected heart attacks are panic attacks. Tami discussed the importance of managing anxiety by activating the left brain to assess situations logically rather than relying solely on emotions. She emphasized that the left brain cannot be used simultaneously with the right brain, which is responsible for emotions and creativity. Tami suggested exercises to activate the left brain, allowing for a more logical approach to anxiety. Tami indicated that people often feel out of control when they focus on external factors and that they can regain a sense of safety by shifting their attention to internal control. She proposed writing down what one can and cannot control, emphasizing that the list of controllable factors is usually longer than the uncontrollable ones. Dr. agreed, adding that even if one cannot control external events, they can control their own actions and reactions. The conversation ended with Tami encouraging people to focus on their skills, accomplishments, and marketability to boost their confidence and reduce anxiety. Dr. discussed various types of anxieties, including existential ones such as moving from one phase of life to another, anxieties about illnesses, death, and loneliness, and anxieties about past completions and redefining oneself. Tami shared her theory about experiencing multiple midlife crises every 7 years, which she believes is linked to her children's developmental stages. Both agreed that these transitions often involve unknowns and a lack of confidence in oneself, as one has not yet proven their ability to navigate these new situations. Tami and Dr. discussed strategies for overcoming anxiety and building confidence. Tami emphasized the importance of facing fears and avoiding avoidance, which can exacerbate anxiety. Dr. shared his approach of focusing on strengths and resilience and trusting himself to learn and adapt. They also discussed the importance of self-trust and executive functioning in managing anxiety. Tami used the example of driving in the snow to illustrate how avoidance can lead to a downward spiral and how facing fears incrementally can help build confidence. Tami and Dr. discussed the impact of anxiety on individuals, particularly during the pandemic. They highlighted how anxiety can be both a collective and personal experience fueled by external factors such as social media and news. Tami emphasized the importance of recognizing anxiety as an emotion and not letting it control one's life. She shared personal experiences and strategies for managing anxiety, including naming it and practicing gratitude. The conversation concluded with Tami encouraging others to seek help and guidance in managing their anxiety. Platforms to Like and Follow: *Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/DrFoojanZeine/) *Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/Dr.FoojanZeine) *Twitter (https://www.twitter.com/DrZeine/) *LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/DrFoojanZeine) *Tiktok (https:///www.tiktok.com/dr.foojanzein)