Life can feel overwhelming some times. Whether it is the harsh inner critic replaying your mistakes or the simply the weight of having a very heavy day. We have all experienced moments in our lives when self-kindness feels not only distant but also impossible. What to do in this kind of situations? Spiritual teachers over the years, and now scientists all agree that our breath is more than just oxygen and carbon dioxide. The breath has the power to anchor us in the present amidst the chaos.

Most of us take the breath for granted, but think about it. In every situation, no matter what happens, your breath is always there. When you get hungry, it is with you. And when you get happy, it stays with you. It doesn’t judge you or abandon you. It is a quiet reminder that you are alive, capable, and deserving of care, even when your inner voice talk negative about you. The breath can lead you to a deep experience of yourself, and a deeper sense of self-compassion.

When we tune into our breath, we are not just calming our minds or thoughts. We are also opening our hearts to ourselves. Self-compassion is not about denying the fact that there is pain and suffering, but acknowledging our pain and suffering with gentleness and care.

How the breath works

When the inner critic gets loud, we tend to hold our breath or breathe in a shallow way. However, taking a deep, mindful breath breaks this pattern. It is like taking small breaks on a very speeding car. With each slow inhale and exhale, you create space to soften, to reflect, and to replace self-criticism with understanding.
Most of our self-critical thoughts come from wandering in the past or future. This cause a lot of regrets, restlessness and worries or fear in our lives. In this situation, the breath helps to pull us back to now moment. In the present moment, we are not our mistakes or our worries. We are simply beings, breathing and doing the best we can.
what is even more interesting is that deep, conscious breathing activates the parasympathetic nervous system—the part of our body that promote relaxation and repair. When we feel calm, it’s easier to treat ourselves with kindness and patience.