Deep Breathing"
Deep breathing also known has diaphragmatic breathing can be a valuable tool for children help manage their emotions.
The diaphragm is the most efficient muscle used in breathing. It is a large muscle located at the base of the lungs. Your stomach or abdominal muscles help move the diaphragm and allow you to take in and release deeper gulps of air.
Why should you have to learn how to breathe?
Not every breath is the same. For example, when you get anxious or scared, you tend to take short quick shallow breaths sometimes referred to as hyperventilating. It may seem that you are taking in a lot of oxygen but in fact you’re not. Deep or diaphragmatic breathing is the best way to get the most oxygen into your lungs. From the lungs air enters the body and brain. Without oxygen our body and brain begins to die.
Oxygen is body and brain food.
Learning how to do deep breathing helps your body’s muscles and organs work more efficiently. It also does the same thing for your brain. Deep breathing helps your brain think better and manage your emotions more efficiently.
Deep breathing can help you to avoid panic attacks, tantrums and general anxiety and aggression.
Deep breathing can help children relax quickly when faced with stressful or challenging situations. However, deep breathing does not come naturally and needs to be practiced on a daily basis.
How do we do it?
Begin by first learning more about your actual breathing.
BREATHING AWARENESS
- The best way to begin is lying flat on your back on a flat surface. (the floor or even a bed will do)
- Next, place a light hard bound book on your belly (diaphragmatic breathing has also been call “belly breathing”)
- Place one hand on your chest so that you can feel the air going in and out
- Breathe in slowly through your nose so that the book raises up
- Exhale through pursed lips
DEEP BREATHING TIPS
- Remind your child to pay attention to the book raising and falling
- Remind your child to feel the air going through their chest
- Describe “pursed lips” as blowing a bubble
- Have your child imagine that there is a colorful balloon in his or her belly
- Practice for 3 – 5 minutes, 2 – 3 times per day
- Schedule breathing practice at specific times during the day (morning, noon, and night)
After several deep breathing practice sessions, try moving to a sitting position in a chair. Keep one hand on your chest and place your other hand on your belly instead of the book. You can also lightly rub your belly in a circular motion to help with relaxation.
Learning deep breathing in a sitting position can help in the car while traveling to reduce anxiety and upset stomachs.
… CALL OR E-MAIL US NOW FOR MORE INFORMATION!