Welcome back Gryphons! I missed you guys over the summer and I hope you all had a relaxing and restful summer. I know that the first week back to school can feel very overwhelming. There are a lot of people around, new schedules, rules, and expectations. While you are learning the new things that are going on around you, it can feel like A LOT. So here are a few quick breathing exercises that you can  

Hello Friends!!

If you tried the breathing exercises, and you decided "Hmm...I would like to try something more active. I don't want to sit still and breathe." Here are some ideas for you! This is going to be a 5 part series, so here are the first 20! Let me know which one is your favorite! 

1. Take deep breaths 

2. Do a positive activity

3. Play sports 

 

4. Think of something funny 

 

5. Take a quick walk

 

6. Practice yoga - if you gus are interested in learning more about yoga and stretched please let me know.

7. Stand up and stretch

 

8. Listen to music 

9. Take a time out

 

10. Slowly count to ten

11. Use positive self-talk

12. Say something kind to yourself

 

13. Talk to a friend

 

14. Talk to an adult

 

15. Close your eyes and relax

 

16. Say, “I can do this”

17. Visualize your favorite place

18. Think of something happy

 

19. Think of a pet you love

 

20. Think about someone you love

Hello you wonderful Gryphons! Here are some breathing exercises you could use if you are feeling a little overwhelmed and stressed. Remember if you feel like you are stressed or overwhelmed for a long-time (2 weeks max) or chronic, please reach out to me or talk to a trusted parent/guardian. 

"Take 5"

Take 5, is a good breathing exercise to practice if you feel like you need to center/ ground yourself in the moment. This exercise is also perfect if you are in school and in class and you feel distracted and need to refocus. Take 5 is also discreet, so if you are unable to find a private location for yourself, this might be a good exercise to keep in your back pocket.

"Square Breathing Exercise" 

 

The Square Breathing Exercise is another good exercise, especially if you like to visualize or are practicing visualizing. Try visualizing you drawing a square. Or if visualizing is not your thing, that is perfectly okay too, you can take one of your index fingers and try a square in the palm of your opposite hand. No matter which way you practice this technique, this video gives a perfect example of this technique. So, if your curious click the video for instructions. 

"Audio Meditation - Equal Breathing" 

 

If you feel like you are up for the challenge, you can try this guided meditation and the video is about 6 minutes long. If you find that you are unable to complete the full video, it is okay. Just keep practicing. Breathing exercises and meditation is a continous practice, you can only get better from here. So, do not feel discouraged! Just keep going!