Integrative Approaches to COVID-19

Dear AWCIM community,

You are in our thoughts and prayers at this extraordinary time.

More than 150,000 visits have been made to our COVID-19 webpage since its launch in March. We will continue to add information about integrative perspectives on the coronavirus as well as public health recommendations. As states re-open, the need for physical distancing, masks, and hand-washing remains critically important. Please continue to make safe choices.

The FAQ page goes into considerable detail based on your excellent questions. While these integrative measures have not yet been validated in human trials specifically for COVID-19, this is an opportune time to be proactive. All recommendations are based on scientific evidence.

I invite you to read a thoughtful post - by immunology professor Erin Bromage PhD. - about the dose of the virus needed to become infected. He recommends specific precautions that we can follow.

We, at the Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine, wish you and your families good health and wellbeing.

Warmly,

Victoria Maizes MD
Executive Director
Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine

Last Updated April 21, 2020.
My Wellness Coach -- free mobile app.

Resources

Do you have questions for us about the Pandemic?

You can view our FAQ or submit a question for us below.

Webinar: An Integrative Approach to COVID-19

In this 90-minute webinar, hear from experts at The Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine to learn more about integrative approaches to COVID-19. Download the slides as a PDF.

Integrative Approaches

AWCIM experts have published Integrative considerations during the COVID-19 pandemic for practitioners in EXPLORE: The Journal of Science & Healing. See Integrative Recommendations for a less-technical discussion about ways to enhance your immune system.

Integrative Strategies with Dr. Lise Alschuler

AWCIM Assistant Director of the Fellowship and Clinical Professor of Medicine, Lise Alschuler ND, FABNO, explores the impact of natural interventions for COVID-19 in two podcasts.

"Shelter in Place" in a Healing Space

Read these tips from AWCIM Director of Research Esther Sternberg, MD, and Altaf Engineer, PhD, Assistant Professor of Architecture, leaders at the University of Arizona Institute on Place, Wellbeing, and Performance, about how to transform your home into a healing space.

Video Series: Enhancing Wellness During Coronavirus


What is Coronavirus and how can you stay safe and healthy? Join our faculty and experts for a video series covering the virus. The mini-series includes free tools to help you maintain your health and wellness, and also manage stress and anxiety.

Watch the playlist on YouTube | Subscribe to the video podcast

In the Series

Free Online Learning Open to All

*These courses cannot be taken for college credit or for continuing education (CE) credit. For a list of CE-eligible courses, see our main online course page.

As a leader in online health education, we are offering help to build skills and reduce anxiety. From now until July 1, 2020, these non-credit integrative health courses are open to all. These self-paced, non-credit courses are online and available 24/7.

Video Lectures

Nutrition Above the Neck

Alleviate stress and improve mental wellbeing. This video lecture by Bonnie Kaplan, PhD explores the role of nutrients in mental health. Learn practical steps you can take to reduce your anxiety through food and supplements.

Register Now

Guided Imagery, Universal Solution for Anxiety; All Purpose Recipe for Courage

Belleruth Naparstek, ACSW, BCD describes and discusses guided imagery, a multi-sensory immersive treatment. She discusses the benefits for those coping with pain, anxiety, and stress, reviewing associated research, and ending with an experiential component. Recorded at the Integrative Mental Health Conference.

Register Now

The Craving Mind

What influences cravings and what can you do about it? Watch as Judson Brewer, MD, PhD, explains the science of behavior and mind training.

Register Now

Beyond the Prescription Pad - Integrative Approaches to Anxiety

Interested in ways to manage symptoms of nervousness and anxiety? Join Victoria Maizes, MD, as she guides you through strategies and techniques to treat anxiety using integrative approaches.

Register Now

Wellbeing is a Skill

Join Richie Davidson, PhD, as he lectures about methods to promote human flourishing; including meditation and contemplative practices.

Register Now

Other Self-Paced Courses

An Introduction to Contemplative Care

Explore caregiving that incorporates mindfulness practice, compassionate action, and moment-to-moment awareness of the relationships around you. Try the mediations to help you, your friends, and family members cope with stress. Developed with the co-founders of the New York Zen Center for Contemplative Care.

Learn More

Foundations of Wellbeing

This free 1.25-hour non-CE course, Foundations of Wellbeing, will help mitigate the stresses of these unprecedented days with some valuable, and often simple, approaches to wellbeing.

While we hear that exercise, sleep, resilience and humor are important to maintain, even in tough times, this evidence-based course shows why. Beginning with small steps can create a path to better wellbeing.

Foundations of Wellbeing is part of our larger, 9.25-hour Introduction to Integrative Mental Health: Anxiety and Depression continuing education course. To learn more about mental health strategies for anxiety and depression, use code MIND-BODY for a 25% discount.

Register at Intro to Mental Health.

Register Now

COVID-19 Resource Links

Daily Meditations:
Daily Meditations from Belleruth Naparstek and HealthJourneys.com
Meditations to help relieve stress for both adults and children. Topics vary each day.

Grief Meditations:
Powerful Grief Meditations from Belleruth Naparstek
Meditations released just for those suffering during this time..

New Podcast: Body of Wonder
Listen to AWCIM's new podcast Body of Wonder. The first four episodes launched in April.
Dr. Weil and Dr. Maizes lead lively discussions on a variety of topics.

Get the App
Learn about our free mobile app - My Wellness Coach.
Download the My Wellness Coach app for free and discover your health motivators; build a whole health snapshot; get helpful health tips and expert-curated resources; create personalized health goals; reach your goals one action step at a time; track your progress with reminders.

A Buddhist Perspective
How to Deal with the Upheavals in Life
Sponsored by the Center for Buddhist Studies at the University of Arizona, this video interview offers a different perspective that may be helpful at this time.

Check your Wellbeing:
Free Online Validated Wellbeing Assessment
You can take the survey and/or share the link with other physicians. The survey is 6-questions, four on resiliency and two on burnout.

Online Course:
Environmental Health: An Integrative Approach
This 5-hour course follows the premise that what we eat or are exposed to has a direct effect on our health. It examines the impact of air pollutants, pesticides, heavy metals, toxins and other environmental factors on the health of individuals and populations.