Many of us grew up with the idea that we need to be hard on ourselves to get ahead. Somewhere along the way, we got it in our heads that the way to succeed is to approach ourselves with a critical, unkind, or even punishing attitude. When we make a mistake, we feel like we need to yell at ourselves.

Most of us experience some sort of stress on a daily basis. 

Maybe we get stuck in traffic, or experience a disagreement with a co-worker. Maybe our kids are running wild when we get home, and we’re struggling to keep the peace and put dinner on the table. Maybe we’re dealing with an illness.

Breathing is essential to life. 

It’s the one thing that everyone, everywhere is continuously doing.  A person who lives to be 80 years old will take over half a billion breaths in her lifetime. But think -- how often do you actually even notice that you’re breathing?