Greetings!

We have been sharing stories and ideas with you about how to help children identify and control their breathing. But have you thought about your breathing lately? Sometimes as adults, it’s easy to forget to practice what we preach. So let’s take a minute to check in on our own breathing, shall we?

 Do you feel your breathing in your belly or your chest?

 Are you breathing fast or slow?

 Can you make each breath last a little bit longer?

 Can you feel your belly move with that breath?

 Can you feel the air going in through your nose?

 Pssst… these questions will work with kids too! If we establish breathing routines, a child will feel comfortable accessing the breath any time he needs it, including during times of stress. And let’s not forget that we need to be aware of our own breathing in order to best help children. Some people have found that setting a chime to ring on their phone at intervals throughout the day is an easy way to remember to pause and check in on their breathing.

 We hope this little check-in leaves you feeling just a little more relaxed and ready to take on the rest of the day.