Breathing is more than just taking in air — it’s an effective way to calm the mind and body. When done mindfully, it does wonders by improving focus and bringing a feeling of peace. This technique has many proven benefits and is often used for relieving stress. The Heart Breathing poster introduces a gentle breathing method that focuses on syncing breath with heart-centered awareness. To perform this exercise, clients can look at a heart-shaped symbol, and then breathe in and out as they trace the symbol in their minds. This visual is designed to be soothing, which makes it a wonderful resource for counseling spaces. Seeing this displayed can remind kids and teens to pause and reconnect with their breath whenever they feel overwhelmed. To help make this a habit, a dedicated "breathing space" or calm down corner can be set up where they can take a few moments to relax. Caring adults can offer additional support by incorporating mindful breathing into daily routines, such as before class, at bedtime, or during transitions between activities. Engaging exercises — like tracing a heart shape on paper while inhaling and exhaling — can make the practice more engaging and easier to remember. Other popular breathing posters include Star, Square, Rainbow, and Infinity Breathing. *This item is an instant digital download. A link to download your files will be emailed to you once payment is confirmed. Want more resources like this? Check out our full catalog of therapy office decor. References: Bentley, T. G., D’Andrea-Penna, G., Rakic, M., Arce, N., LaFaille, M., Berman, R., Cooley, K., & Sprimont, P. (2023). Breathing practices for stress and anxiety reduction: Conceptual framework of implementation guidelines based on a systematic review of the published literature. Brain Sciences, 13(12), 1612. https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci13121612 Toussaint, L., Nguyen, Q. A., Roettger, C., Dixon, K., Offenbächer, M., Kohls, N., Hirsch, J., & Sirois, F. (2021). Effectiveness of progressive muscle relaxation, deep breathing, and guided imagery in promoting psychological and physiological states of relaxation. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2021, 1-8. https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/5924040 Tsakona, P., Kitsatis, I., Apostolou, T., Papadopoulou, O., & Hristara-Papadopoulou, A. (2025). The effect of diaphragmatic breathing as a complementary therapeutic strategy in stress of children and teenagers 6–18 years old. Children, 12(1), 59. https://doi.org/10.3390/children12010059
