Breath and Beauty in the Unexpected

Photograph of a purple thistle with an abandoned building in the background.

In nature we see time and again that beauty grows in the most unexpected places. In the midst of uncertainty, what are you doing to keep yourself and your young child calm and relaxed? Are you able to see and cultivate beauty around you even during times of stress?⠀

You might try practicing a breathing exercise- breathe in slowly through the nose, and breathe out longer (by about double the time) through the nose. If it's uncomfortable, you can breathe in for a count of 4, hold for a count of 4, breathe out for a count of 4, and hold for a count of 4, continuing this way for several breaths. Try this and see if you feel calmer afterwards. This is a strategy used by many first responders in high stress situations to calm their minds and bodies very quickly.

With your young child, you might consider prompting them to breathe in smelling a flower, and breathe out blowing out a candle. There are many things we can do to help ourselves feel grounded and safe, regardless of what's going on around us. Sending you love and health!