3 Simple Breathing Exercises to Help Children Relax

 Stress and fatigue can often cause physical tension in students. At the Pain Management Club of École Vision Millénaire, we teach children that breathing is one of the most powerful tools to calm the mind and relax the body.

Here are three simple techniques we practice with our students in Acul des Pins that you can try at home:

1. The "Candle" Breathing Ask the child to imagine they are holding a flower in one hand and a lit candle in the other.

• The action: They should breathe in deeply through the nose as if smelling the flower's scent, then blow out gently through the mouth to make the candle flame flicker without blowing it out.

• Benefit: This helps slow the heart rate and soothe anxiety.

2. Box Breathing This technique consists of four equal steps:

1. Inhale through the nose for 4 seconds.

2. Hold your breath for 4 seconds.

3. Exhale through the mouth for 4 seconds.

4. Wait for 4 seconds before starting again.

• Benefit: This exercise clears the mind and helps release muscle tension in the back and shoulders.

3. The "Balloon" Breathing Ask the child to place their hands on their belly.

• The action: While inhaling, they should imagine they are inflating a big balloon in their stomach. While exhaling, the balloon slowly deflates.

• Benefit: This deep abdominal breathing improves blood oxygenation and reduces physical pain related to stress.