A few days ago, I bought my son a plastic toy so he could blow bubbles the good old-fashioned way. I used to enjoy doing that myself. There is something fascinating about blowing bubbles, watching them float with their mesmerising colours, and seeing them drift away until they finally pop. Back then, that used to be my way of wasting time. No doom-scrolling, just bubble-blowing.
As my son’s toy lay on the table, I decided to go out into the yard after breakfast and bring back some memories by blowing a few bubbles myself. I did not spend just a few minutes doing it. I actually passed a good amount of time blowing bubbles. With each breath, several bubbles took flight and gracefully floated away to live their short lives.
A few times, however, I was not rewarded with a single bubble. Through the small hole, nothing came out except a burst of liquid. That simply made me dip the plastic stick back into the bottle and attempt once again to create a new set of bubbles.
I enjoyed every moment of the process until a look at my watch reminded me that it was time to start my errand. When I stood up, I felt amazingly calmer than before. I immediately realised that this was no coincidence. The simple act of blowing bubbles had somehow calmed me down.
Naturally, I was determined to find out whether any research had been carried out into whether this simple activity could actually help calm a person down. I was amazed by what I found.
To make a good bubble, you naturally tend to breathe in and then exhale slowly and steadily. In fact, this resembles a simple breathing exercise, although I would argue that blowing bubbles is much more fun. Slow, controlled exhalation can help move the body away from a state of tension and towards relaxation.
But there was more to it than the breathing. The process of blowing bubbles also required me to forget my other thoughts and focus on what I was doing. I found myself challenging myself to make one bubble bigger than another and wondering where each one would float. My attention was taken away from my worries and placed entirely on the next bubble.
There was another important element too. As an adult, I sometimes forget how relaxing it can be to do something completely pointless and joyful. I was not trying to achieve anything. I was just huffing and puffing and watching bubbles float away.
Isn’t that, in its own way, another form of mindfulness?
Is this backed by research? Surprisingly, yes. I found that researchers have actually studied bubble breathing and bubble-blowing. Several clinical studies, mostly involving children in stressful or painful situations, have found that it can help reduce distress, anxiety or pain in certain circumstances. A 2019 randomised trial described bubble breathing as a relaxation and play technique, while a 2022 trial found that breathing exercises using a bubble blower could be an effective distraction and relaxation method. More recently, a 2026 randomised clinical trial found that practising breathing exercises with a bubble blower reduced measures of anxiety and physiological stress during a dental procedure in children.
Of course, these studies were mainly carried out with children, so we cannot automatically say, “Blowing bubbles has been proven to reduce anxiety in adults.” But hey, my bubble-blowing activity that morning certainly made a difference to me.
So where does this research leave me?
Well, I have decided to stock up on a number of bubble-blowing toys, and on a stressful day, I may just unwind by blowing some bubbles. I might even update this post as I continue my very unscientific personal experiment.
And I invite the adults reading this post to join me and share their experiences.
If you dismiss bubble-blowing as merely childish, well, I guess this fun activity is definitely for you. Who knows? You might rediscover something you enjoyed as a child while reaping a few additional benefits along the way.
Perhaps part of growing older well is not abandoning the child within us, but occasionally giving him permission to come out and play.
When was the last time you blew bubbles? Have you ever rediscovered a simple childhood pleasure that helped you relax as an adult? I’d love to hear your experiences. Perhaps it’s time we all gave our inner child a little more freedom to play!
Thank you for reading. If you enjoyed this reflection, consider subscribing for future posts exploring photography, life, and the stories behind the moments we often take for granted.
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About the Author
Sergio Morana is an educator, photographer and writer based in Malta. Through photography and writing, he explores life’s meaningful moments, personal growth, and the stories that connect us.
📷 Photography: Holy Communions • Confirmations • Portraits • Family Sessions • Events
