One of my favourite Self-compassion practices is Affectional Breathing. I use this one almost daily. Breath is something we carry with us everywhere. It’s a natural anchor, always available, always steady. When life feels overwhelming, anxious, or heavy, coming back to the breath can bring us a sense of calm and presence. And when we pair it with compassion, breath becomes not just grounding – but deeply nurturing, full of warmth and affection.
Affectionate Breathing is a gentle guided meditation developed by Dr. Kristin Neff and Dr. Chris Germer, the founders of the Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) program. It invites us to simply rest with our breathing while bringing an attitude of warmth and kindness to ourselves. We can begin to regulate our emotions, not only by regulationg our attention, but by also affiliating care, warmth and attention towards ourselves.
Instead of pushing the breath or trying to control it, we notice it. We allow it. And then, as we breathe in, we can silently say to ourselves, “Breathing in, I care for myself.” As we breathe out, “Breathing out, I let go of struggle.”
This is a simple but powerful way to shift from self-criticism or tension into a state of soothing and safety. Research shows that slow, mindful breathing activates the body’s parasympathetic nervous system – the part of us responsible for rest and repair, helping to reduce stress and calm the mind (Zaccaro et al., 2018).
I’ve recorded a short guided meditation for you. You can follow along whenever you need a moment of self-care this week.
Why This Matters
Breathing with affection is more than just relaxation. It’s a way of telling yourself: I matter. I’m worthy of care. I am allowed to rest.
Every time you practice, even for just a few breaths, you’re strengthening new neural pathways of kindness, making it easier to turn toward yourself with care instead of criticism.
Learning and practicing self-care and self-compassion is so much easier when you don’t have to do it alone. At Blossome, we walk this healing path together, supporting one another with kindness, encouragement, and community. If you’d like to feel held and understood as you nurture your own recovery from the effects of loving someone with addiction, I invite you to join the Blossome Community today. Together, we make space for healing, growth, and a gentler way forward.
P.S. You don’t have to have it all figured out. Simply showing up is enough — and you’ll be welcomed, just as you are.
Kim Moore is the Founder of Blossome CIC. She lost her husband Chris to alcoholism in 2017. She faced a difficult journey while raising 2 children alone, with her family living on the opposite side of the world. Kim founded the Blossome Community and The Pathway to Peace healing journey so no one would have to feel alone while enduring the trauma of a loved one’s battle with alcoholism or addiction. She is also on a mission to end the generational cycle of alcoholism and addiction in families.
Kim lost her husband to alcohol dependency in 2017. She created the Blossome Community to help others enduring losing a loved one to alcoholism or addiction find a Pathway to Peace so they can let go of guilt/shame and live with self-compassion and joy.
Every Monday morning, start you week on a positive note with a Wonderful Week of Blossoming.
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