“Deep breathing activates the parasympathetic nervous system (which controls reactions to stress), and distracts from anxious thoughts. Taking deep, deliberate breaths can calm a person physically and mentally, increasing the body’s oxygen levels, which can have a calming effect,” says Dr Atteya. “There are many different types of breathing exercises that can encourage kids to take deep breaths. Examples of breathing exercises for kids include feather breathing, balloon breathing, bubble breathing or counting breaths.”
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