Dandelion breath
Blow the dandelion, smell the flower, relax!
Exercises such as deep belly breathing are remarkable for triggering the parasympathetic nervous system (the parts of our body that are responsible for calming us down and taking us from “fight or flight” back to “rest and digest” mode.)
Practice this fun nature-based breathing game to help your kids learn how to regulate and reduce stress or anxiety when they need it.
Play
On the inhale, pretend you’re smelling a beautiful flower.
On the exhale, imagine you’re holding a dandelion and blowing off its seeds.
Bonus: make it more playful by holding up your (or a fave person’s) hand with your “seed” fingers up. Each time you blow, pop a finger down as if you blew it off.
Extend
Make a Wish: Before blowing, encourage your child to think of a happy thought or a wish. This adds a mindful and positive focus to their breathing.
Dandelion Race: Place a cotton ball, pom-pom, or tissue on a table and have your child blow it across like they would a dandelion. This helps them control their breath in a fun way.
Slow Motion Breaths: Challenge your child to see how slowly they can blow to make the dandelion seeds float gently away. This encourages longer, deeper breaths.
