Krista Osborne Counselling Services
#314A, 7 St. Anne Street T8N 2X4 Saint Albert, AB, Canada

Hi Everyone. Just a quick note to let you know that effective today, all of my sessions are moving online. While I would prefer to see everyone in person, we need to take care of both our emotional health and physical health during these difficult times. Let's keep everyone safe.

MentalHealth Bootcamp Day 9: Act Foolish. Today is the day to get your silly on. Today’s task is to make someone laugh. It will help you and them.

Mental Health Bootcamp Day 8: Slow Down. There is a reason I haven’t spoken of spring cleaning, doing projects and filling your time with work. All of us are navigating different combinations of work, family, school, mortality and of course a global pandemic. This is already a lot of things. You don’t need to add more. While being productive is one way to keep your mind off the news, it also speaks to a pattern that is collectively causing us to suffer. We all learned someh...ow that doing makes us better people and that we should feel guilty for not doing. It is ok to do nothing. In fact it is crucial for our nervous systems. It sparks creativity and connection. It helps us notice the small things around us. Today’s task: Find some time to just sit and be. We all have different tolerances for how long we can do this. Some can tolerate a only a minute or two. Others can go for longer before shame and guilt appear. Trust your body. Here is my Bear, showing us how it’s done. He did this for an hour.

Mental Health Bootcamp Day 7: Get Empowered Finding meaning in chaos is an individual experience. We all have our own grief we need to process around our own life events but also these shared life experiences. Taking back some control can help find meaning. Today’s task: Find a way, however small, to kick back against this humbling experience. I decided to be a good social worker and have a mini protest. How did you empower yourself today?

Mental Health Bootcamp Day 6: Photos Reminiscing is a great way to revisit less stressful times in your life. This can remind us of some funny stories and remind us of some important people. Today's task: Go through some old photos. Perhaps scroll back through your phone and reconnect with some memories. Use these pictures as a way to reach out to people and touch base. Share some here so we can also see what you have been up to.

Mental Health Bootcamp Day 6: Acknowledge your Emotions Like an insecure toddler, feelings will demand your attention until their needs are addressed. Our more difficult emotions are ones that we often try to ignore, avoid and pretend away. These emotions are just as valuable as the happier, more pleasant ones. They help us understand what’s important in our lives, highlight the things we love and help us with perspective. Today’s task: Spend a minute acknowledging your fear..., anxiety, anger, grief and other difficult emotions. Feel them and then think about what those emotions are telling you about what’s important in your life. Parent tip: The movie Inside Out is a great way to have a conversation with kids about emotions. See more

Update: So as many of you know, I am only currently seeing clients online. You can access online bookings through my website (https://kristaosborne.janeapp.com). I am open and working. You also may be aware that many businesses and professional services are beginning to open up to face to face work as long as precautions are in place. I believe that my office is able to accommodate precautions fairly easily. That said, we are all juggling home and work in this new reality.... My plan is to stay online until my kids are finished school for the year and to open my office for limited client sessions in July as long as Alberta Health continues to deem it safe. I look forward to our continued work together and can't wait to see some of you soon.

Mental Health Bootcamp Day 13: Stop Shoulding on Yourself. Today I woke up and went about my day. It took me until 7:00pm to realize I forgot to post a Bootcamp. I could be mad and myself and worry about how I let you all down, or I can accept that I am not perfect. Today’s Task: Give yourself a break. Whenever you think, I should be doing.... Stop and replace the thought with I’m doing exactly what I need to be doing right now. Judging yourself is not a motivator. It only brings shame not caring acceptance.

Just a quick note to let people know that during the COVID-19 situation, I am still available for online appointments. You can book an appointment by clicking on the attached link. Hope everyone is staying well.

Mental Health Bootcamp Day 12: Nostalgia. Childhood memories, shows, old pictures can help reconnect us to other people and other times. My grandfather was a huge influence in my life. He was stable and calm. Today I decided to reconnect with my memories of him. My brother’s and I used to spend hours on the floor in his living room playing pick up sticks. So today I lay on my living room floor and played and thought of him and my grandmother knitting as she watched. Today’s task: Do something that reminds you of a calming memory.

Mental Health Bootcamp Day 11: Embrace Boredom. Some of the best insights in our life are a direct result of boredom. It gives our brain the time and space to slow down and process the events going on around us, our past but also to think creatively about solving problems. Today’s task: embrace the boredom and see what happens. What creativity has come out of your quieter days? Here are my kids embracing boredom in my living room.

Mental Health Bootcamp Day 11: Good News It isn’t always easy to see the good in all we are experiencing. But looking for the powerful humanity in this mess can help us appreciate the good side of mankind. Today’s task: Find something positive in this mess and share it with us. Need help? Watch the link.

Mental Health Bootcamp Day 10: Get Inspired. I recently watched this TedTalk and was inspired by his message about mental health. Today’s Task: Watch it. Go down a TedTalk rabbit hole and share with us a video that inspires you.