We all have hard days.
We have emotions that can feel uncomfortable.
But do you notice how the feelings come and go?
In each moment of the day, we breathe in and out, and we can watch the feelings come and go.
When we feel anxious, sad, alone, angry, confused, or scared—we can stop and take a breath.
Willard and O’Leary’s Breathing Makes it Better is an award winning book “for sad days, mad days, and all the feelings in-between”. Feelings are normalized and children use the breath to manage their feelings.
Each feeling is accompanied by a mantra and illustration in nature embodying the peace that comes with breathing.
“When I am scared, be still…be here. I relax and let go, like a river I flow. Breathe in, breathe out—peace is near.”
This book was inspired by Zen teacher Thich Nhat Hanh. It includes exercises and practices that use the breath to pause, and be still. The practices allow us to settle ourselves in order to become more aware of what is happening inside us and around us.
I love that this book is a resource that can be read aloud to children ages 3-6 years. The book is a powerful tool to start to teach the little ones in your life about mindfulness, breathing, and how to manage their feelings.
It’s time for us all to breathe in, and breathe out.
Remember that peace is near.
Helps with: practicing breathing, awareness of feelings, imagination, mindfulness, dealing with challenging emotions, breathing techniques, guided mindfulness practices and prompts, finding peace, observing our inner and outer worlds.