July Mental Health Tip: Belly Breathing

Breathing deeply helps us slow down our thoughts and move through big emotions like sadness, anger, and fear. Belly breathing is a form of deep breathing, and one of the most effective ways to way ourselves down. When belly breathing, your belly should expand when you breathe in, and contract when you breathe out.

To practice belly breathing, you can lay on your back with your hands or a small object on your belly. When you breathe in, the object should move up with your belly. As you breathe in, the objects will move down. This is a helpful way of ensuring that you are belly breathing like you are supposed to.

Belly Breathing Activity

Visit your local Dollar Tree, or other local store you often go to, and pick up a pinwheel and a fake flower. Tape the bottom of the flower to the pinwheel, making sure the flower is below the actual pinwheel. Now smell the flower and blow the pinwheel to practice breathing in and out. This is a great way to help little ones learn to breathe.