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. The videos are 10 mins or less. Topics include understanding the virus, supplements, the body's response to stress, sleep, meditation, guided imagery, home exercises, and coping with grief and loss during isolation.
Integrative Approaches to COVID-19
Dear AWCIM community,
You are in our thoughts and prayers at this extraordinary time.
We are creating this webpage to update you regularly about integrative perspectives on the coronavirus. This is intended to augment (not replace) public health measures of handwashing, physical distancing, and seeking testing/medical care should you become sick.
We will include ideas on the many ways to support your immune system. We hope this will help you reduce the risk of acquiring the coronavirus or reduce the severity or duration of an infection. We will focus on the value of healthy lifestyle—including sleep, stress management, dietary approaches, and supplements.
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 will be based on scientific evidence.
We, at the Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine, wish you and your families good health and wellbeing. Please stay safe.
Warmly,
Victoria Maizes MD
Executive Director
Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine
Last Updated March 30, 2020.
New wellbeing courses added.
Resources
Do you have questions for us about the Pandemic?
You can view our FAQ or submit a question for us below.
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.
AWCIM Strategies
Listen to this podcast from Fellowship graduate Dr. Marvin Singh, Gastroenterologist/Hepatologist featuring Dr. Lise Alschuler, Professor of Clinical Medicine at the University of Arizona and Assistant Director of the AWCIM Fellowship on a look at integrative options for the virus.
Podcast of Integrative Strategies"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.
Creating a Healing SpaceFree Online Courses
As a leader in online health education, we are offering help to build skills and reduce anxiety. From now until May 1, 2020, these integrative health courses are open to all. These self-paced 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.
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.
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.
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.
Wellbeing is a Skill
Join Richie Davidson, PhD, as he lectures about methods to promote human flourishing; including meditation and contemplative practices.
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.
Foundations of Wellbeing
This free 1.25-hour 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 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.
Other Health Resources
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:
Listen to AWCIM's new podcast. The first four episodes dropped today
Dr. Weil and Dr. Maizes lead lively discussions on a variety of topics.
Get the App
Get the new free mobile app.
Take an in-depth look at the state of your own health and wellbeing. Learn about the 7 core areas of health, and set SMART goals to improve your wellbeing in almost every way.
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.