One of the ways we can care for ourselves is just to be still and breathe. We’re excited to feature some self-care tips from QuaverReady Content Manager and former school counselor Lindsey Jackson.
Today, Lindsey details a simple way to show self-compassion daily through practicing “Star Breathing.”
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One way to care for ourselves is to just sit still and breathe. Finding my breath is a way that I show myself compassion daily. It is the practice that I go to most frequently. It is the practice that I most frequently taught students as a school counselor. My personal reminder to stop and breathe is looking down at my own hand. I see a visual tool with which I can slow my breath and focus only on what is right in front of me. Even as an adult, I practice “Star Breathing.”
Practice this deep breathing technique. Hold one hand in front of you with your fingers spread apart. Keep your palm facing outward. Use the pointer finger of your opposite hand. Begin to trace the outline of your hand. Start with the outside of your thumb. As you trace your thumb, inhale through your nose until you reach the very top of it. Trace from the top of your thumb to the valley between it and your pointer finger. Exhale through your mouth. Repeat this process, moving at your own pace. Inhale and exhale slowly as you trace each finger. When you reach the outer edge of your pinky, you may need more time to breathe. Begin tracing from the outer edge of your pinky finger all the way back to the outer edge of your thumb. When you are finished, take inventory of how you feel.
I hope this act of self-compassion serves you well. If you find it helpful, please share it with others, young and old. We all need time to breathe right now.
Thank you for spending a moment with me.
Lindsey details a simple way to show self-compassion daily through practicing “Star Breathing.”
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Try It with Your Students!
Offer your students practice with deep breathing as an act of self-compassion! Check out the QuaverReady activity, “Getting Control.”
This activity is found in 1st Grade, Lesson 22 – Practicing My Self-Control.
Getting Control teaches students five different activities to help themselves calm down.
The following activities can be used as moments of calm in any setting at any time:
- Taking deep breaths
- Counting to ten
- Thinking of a happy place
Extend the activity with the worksheet “Getting Control.” This worksheet provides students an opportunity to draw their happy place. What place do they like to visualize when they need a moment of calm?
We would love to hear how you use these activities with your students!
