Breathe Better, Parent Better: Creating Calm at Home

September was a month full of transitions, new routines, shifting schedules, and plenty of emotions to navigate as a family. Now, as we step into a new month, it is an opportunity to breathe; pause, exhale, and begin again. Think of it as a fresh breath for you and your children, a moment to reset and invite calm into your home.

Breathing is the most hardwired, involuntary function we perform as human beings. Every creature, great or small, breathes. It sustains life, and we do not even have to think about it. Breathing happens as naturally as our heartbeats.

Yet, despite its importance, we often take it for granted.

Recent studies from the Harvard Business Review and Yale News highlight the benefits of SKY Breath Meditation. This technique engages the parasympathetic nervous system, helping regulate rational thinking, promoting calmness, and restoring balance during stressful situations. Participants reported noticeable improvements in mental health and well-being after just two days of practice.

As someone trained in SKY Breath Meditation for more than 10 years, I can attest that the way we breathe directly influences how we feel and how we show up in the world. Breathing well makes life more manageable, especially when parenting challenges push us to the edge.

If you have been feeling stressed, overwhelmed, or simply worn out, whether by current events, holiday planning, or your child’s endless love for “Baby Shark” and Cocomelon too, take a moment to breathe, you are not alone.

Here are some practical ways to literally catch your breath—and share them with your child too:

• Deeper inhales and longer exhales: When stress hits, focus on slow, intentional breaths. Try inhaling for a count of four and exhaling for a count of eight. This simple practice can clear your mind in seconds.
• Quick, light stretching: Take five minutes to move your body. Even a short yoga sequence or full-body stretch gets oxygen flowing and helps release tension.
• Carve out time for meditation: Even two minutes of focused breathing can make a difference. Find a quiet space, sit comfortably, and bring your attention to your breath.

✨ Want to see some of these techniques in action? Watch this short video I created on Practical Breathing Exercises to try with your family.

And speaking of fresh starts, if you are ready to take a deeper step into conscious parenting, I invite you to join the Conscious Parenting Kickstart. It is a powerful way to reset, gain clarity, and begin your conscious parenting journey today.

Here’s to breathing better, parenting better, and creating more peace at home.

With love and blessings,
Katherine Sellery