What is the breathing technique to help calm children who are upset

The recommended breathing technique to help calm upset children is the physiological sigh. This involves taking a deep inhale through the nose, followed by a quick second inhale also through the nose, and then a long exhale through the mouth. This method activates the vagus nerve, which helps calm the autonomic nervous system and reduce stress 1.

Here are the steps:

1. Take a deep inhale through the nose.
2. Before exhaling, take another small, quick inhale.
3. Exhale slowly and fully through the mouth.

This technique can be done anywhere and is effective in quickly reducing stress levels in both children and adults 1 2.