Free Square Breathing Worksheets & Box Breathing Benefits For Kids

Inside: We’ll discuss all of the ooey-gooey box breathing benefits and box breathing techniques and how to do square breathing for kids and adults (plus when and why). We’ve also included three box breathing posters completely free!

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Despite a somewhat curious name, square breathing is a super simple exercise that can leave you feeling undeniably euphoric!

Have you ever heard the saying, “Just breathe?”

Well, there’s a reason why this little saying is so popular: deep breathing is scientifically proven to provide a laundry list of amazing benefits (more on that below).

But here’s the problem:

Sometimes, we (especially our kids) need some help staying focused when breathing purposefully. Our minds easily wander off down the garden path.

Enter fun breathing exercises.

Today, we will look specifically at square breathing, otherwise known as box breathing. We’ll dive deeper into when and how to use these exercises and examine all the life-changing benefits this simple breathing exercise can provide you and your kids.

Benefits of Box Breathing

Breathing exercises have many, many, many benefits! Besides the obvious of oxygenating your mind and body and nourishing your cells, there are other benefits you might not have thought of:

Box Breathing:

• Turns off the “fight or flight” response
• Reduces anxious or intrusive thoughts
• Lowers stress in the mind and body (breathing reduces cortisol; in this study, participants showed lower levels of cortisol after deep breathing)
• Increases positivity and wellbeing
• Decreases anxiety and depression
• Increases mental clarity and focus
• Improves future reactions to stress. By regularly practicing, we change how the body automatically responds to stress

And in our kids, square breathing is an excellent coping strategy. It helps our kids with impulse control, emotional regulation, and anger and anxiety management.

Tips for box breathing

There are several steps that parents and teachers can take to make box breathing easier for their kiddos and themselves:

• Find a quiet space with as little distraction as possible.
• Place one hand on your chest and one on your lower stomach.
• Try to keep your mind focused on breathing; if your mind wanders off, pull it back to the breath.
• Relax your forehead, shoulders, and the top of your head.

Square Breathing Instructions:

1. Find a comfortable position, lying or sitting, where distractions are minimal
2. Take a few normal, cleansing breaths and start to relax your face, shoulders, and head.
3. Place your index finger at the top left of the square and trace along the sides as you breathe. (If you aren’t using the printable, imagine a square before you).
4. Breathe in for a count of 1, 2, 3, 4. You’re doing great.
5. Hold for a count of 1, 2, 3, 4. Feel the breath filling your body. Pay attention to your heartbeat.
6. Breathe out for a count of 1, 2, 3, 4. Exhale deeply.
7. Hold for a count of 1, 2, 3, 4.
8. Repeat four to six times.

Instructions for Using These Free Four-Square Breathing Printables

1. Choose your square breathing poster preference (or download them all)
2. Download to your phone or computer
3. Print (or use on your device)
4. Recommended: Card stock so that your poster can handle a little wear and tear (we all know kids are hard on things).

Final Thoughts on Square Breathing

Box breathing can help you slow down your breathing, calming your nervous system and decreasing stress.

It’s a super simple yet incredibly powerful relaxation technique for you and your kids that can help you remember to breathe.