Dr. Allison Ronda, ND St. Albert Naturopathic Clinic
11 A Perron St T8N 1E3 Saint Albert, AB, Canada

We can now see you at the clinic and will continue with phone appointments as well.

Mental Health and Wellness in a Time of Crisis Given the constantly changing events surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, everyone is experiencing different degrees of reaction and anxiety. We are not mental health practitioners, but there is evidence-based information that can help in times of high anxiety and stress. During these stressful times, it is more important than ever to take care of your mental health and well- ness. If you are experiencing distress, please call your... local crisis centre. https://thelifelinecanada.ca//cri/canadian-crisis-centres/ Self-care and mental wellness go far beyond the basic needs of life. It is about being self- aware and learning to take care of your own mental health including connecting to others, feeling like you belong, and being able to relax. Relaxation techniques strive to create a natural relax- ation response in your body. These techniques include practices such as meditation, yoga, tai chi, deep breathing exercises, guided imagery exercises, progressive relaxation, and biofeedback re- laxation programs. If you take care of other people, you should also take care of yourself. How you take care of yourself is going to be different for everyone as we all have varying interests and needs. There is a wide variety of approaches you can take to help you in achieving mental health and wellness in your life. 1. Eat a healthy, nutrient-rich diet. 2. Get at least 7-8 hours of sleep a day. 3. Stay active by ideally doing 30 minutes of exercise 4x per week. 4. Practice breathing exercises. 5. Write in a journal, or find a quiet space. 6. Learn a new skill or hobby. 7. Talk to someone daily. 8. Get outside, go for a walk, and breathe in the fresh air. 9. Give your brain a workout through games such as scrabble or crossword puzzles. 10. Avoid cigarettes, drugs, and excessive alcohol. 11. Treat yourself by doing something uplifting. 12. Learn stress management, relaxation techniques, and self-care. 13. Laughter is the best medicine. See more

FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE Functional medicine is a systematic biology-based approach focused on identifying and addressing the root cause of imbalances and disease in the body. Every symptom and health problem an individual experiences could be a contributing factor to the underlying root cause and disease state. The exact mechanism and cause of each disease state depends on different factors. These include an individual’s genes, environment, lifestyle, and stress management. Func...tional medicine lab testing aims to prevent disease before it happens by assessing patterns of imbalances that without intervention could lead to chronic health problems. These tests can be used to identify nutritional deficiencies, toxic exposures, food sensitivities, inflammatory response and triggers, genetic susceptibilities, and imbalances in hormones and neurotransmitters. The treatments that address the right underlying root cause will have a lasting benefit beyond suppressing the symptoms. This way of practicing is patient-centered, it integrates a science-based health approach, and combines the best of western medical practices with alternative-based approaches. In the end, the goal is to promote health and wellness in each individual and return them to optimal health. I have finished taking a comprehensive certification program in functional medicine. This involved hundreds of hours of coursework and examinations to complete this program. My practice is more diverse and allows me to work with a variety of complaints like PCOS, menopause, infertility, thyroid issues, SIBO, autoimmune conditions, and inflammation. I support my patients to healthier lifestyles and a return to wellness, even after years of health problems. Dr. Allison Ronda B.A.Sc., ND, CCT, CFMP See more