Breathing Activities
Mindfulness & Relaxation
Mindfulness means to pay attention to what is currently happening in the present moment. It may be what you're feeling, hearing, or anything you notice.
A few slow, deep breaths can help us to relax our minds and our bodies. It is important that we breath in through our nose and then we breath out slowly through our mouth, like we are trying to blow a bubble with a wand.
Breath Bubble
3-Minute Mindful Breathing
4-7-8 Breathing
Deep Triangle Breathing
Start at the bottom left of the triangle.
Breathe in for three counts as you trace the first side of the triangle.
Hold your breath for three counts as you trace the second side of the triangle.
Breathe out for three counts as you trace the final side of the triangle. You have just completed one deep breath.
Square Breathing
Start at the bottom right of the square.
Breathe in for four counts as you trace the first side of the square
Hold your breath for four counts as you trace the second side of the square
Breathe out for four counts as you trace the third side of the square
Hold your breath for four counts as you trace the final side of the square
You just completed one deep breath!
Star Breathing
Start at any “Breathe In” side on the star.
Trace your finger over the "breathe in" side of the point
Hold your breath when your finger gets to the tip of the point
Breathe out as you trace your finger over the other side of the point.
Keep going until you reach where you started.
When you trace the whole star, you will have completed 5 deep breaths
Lazy 8 Breathing
Start with the eight on its side and start in the middle
Go up to the left and trace the left part of the 8 with your finger while you breathe in.
When you get to the middle of the eight again, breathe out while you trace the right part of the 8 with your finger.
6 Sided Breathing
Start at the left hand side of the hexagon.
Trace your finger over the "breathe in" side as you take a deep breath in.
Hold your breath as you trace the second side of the hexagon.
Breathe out as you trace the third side of the hexagon.
Then repeat for the bottom part of the hexagon.
Progressive Muscle Relaxation
Sometimes when we are stressed we carry tension in our body. This activity helps relieve that tension by tensing a group of muscles as you breathe in, and you relax them as you breathe out.
Tense and relax for 5 seconds.
