One Minute Breathing Break

A very quick mindfulness break, a reminder to slow the breath, resetting the nervous system. Can be used by teachers to start a class to address social-emotional learning (SEL). Easy and appropriate for beginners. The breath is the best tool for stimulating the vagus nerve, which switches the body between fight or flight (sympathetic nervous system mode) and rest and digest (parasympathetic mode). A more relaxed nervous system allows the prefrontal cortex in the brain to function better.