Breathing To Activate Your Soothing System

This audio exercise is a guided practice designed to activate the soothing system through controlled breathing. Taken from the Psychology Tools For Developing Self-Compassion audio collection.

Download or send

Audio track (MP3)

A therapy audio track designed for skills development.

Audio script (PDF)

The script for a therapy audio track. Read along with an exercise, or record in your own voice.

Overview

Self-compassion is a helpful skill for emotional well-being. The Psychology Tools For Developing Self-Compassion audio collection provides a structured approach to developing self-compassion using principles from compassion focused therapy (CFT). CFT is an evidence-based psychological approach that integrates evolutionary, cognitive, and affective neuroscience to help individuals cultivate compassion and alleviate high levels of shame and self-criticism.

Breathing can occur both automatically and under conscious control. By altering our breathing patterns deliberately, we can influence our body's physiological processes, particularly the autonomic nervous system. Understanding and harnessing this process helps individuals to engage the parasympathetic nervous system – the calming counterpart to the sympathetic nervous system – helping clients achieve a sense of calmness and improve their decision-making abilities.