Psychology Today | 09.11.2026 16:46
Imagine it’s your first day of second grade. You’re feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness as you walk to your classroom. You walk into the wrong one and are greeted with stares from third graders. You quickly turn around and leave the room when you accidentally bump into someone. You look up, and a smiling face greets you, radiating immense warmth, and asks if you’re lost. You nod your head, and tears begin to well in your eyes. This person reassures you and asks you to take a deep “whale breath” before walking you to your classroom and then gives you a high five.
