In today’s fast-paced world, it’s more important than ever to discover ways to connect with our inner selves. Some of us might cope with anxiety and stress by calling our friends or family, going for a short walk, or by watching television. But, if you haven’t found your perfect stress reliever yet, adult colouring might be worth a shot.
Try to recall the last time you picked up crayons to colour a flower, a house, or a palm tree in a colouring book. Does it feel like a long time ago? Colouring is a nostalgic reminder of our carefree childhoods. One of the advantages of colouring is that it allows you to re-live the joy and pleasure that you had colouring as a child. Mindful colouring for adults is a way to get a break from our high-stress lives and even better, have a bit of a ‘detox’ from our digital devices.
Adult colouring books have been popular for a while now, Nielsen Bookscan estimated that 12 million books were sold worldwide in 2015, which resulted in a 6.6 percent sales boost for adult non-fiction and caused a coloured pencil shortage!
Colouring has a therapeutic effect and more and more adults are taking up colouring as a hobby to escape from stress. When it comes to colouring, there are many alternatives, e.g., digital versions on your iPad or Tablet, or sitting down with a classic colouring book and your favourite pencils, crayons, and coloured markers.
No matter how much we love a good Netflix binge and doom-scrolling on our mobiles, it’s always good (and recommended) to take some time out and indulge in some mindful colouring.
Improves Focus
Colouring allows us to disconnect from other thoughts and concentrate on the moment. When you begin colouring, your brain knows that it must stay (or colour) within the lines of the drawing and not go beyond them. Mindful colouring can help deepen focus and improve attention.
Reduces Anxiety and Stress
Set yourself aside from the things that are causing you stress and take an ‘art’ break. Colouring after a long day at work can help reduce stress and can even lift negative moods and thoughts. Colouring for just 20 minutes, can decrease your anxiety levels. Plus, you end up with some lovely art pieces to hang on the fridge.
Meditation Alternative
Many people find it difficult to “switch off” and relax their minds, even during yoga or meditation. Colouring combines the benefits of meditation and art therapy into one simple practice that can be done any time, anywhere.
Exercise the Mind
Colouring sparks brain activity and activates the creative and logical parts of the brain. Colouring is a good ‘mind exercise’ as it engages both sides of the cerebral cortex, which promotes motor skills and coordination.
Improve your Sleep
Swapping mobile phones and gadgets at night with colouring books can help you get a better night’s sleep. By spending some time colouring, you will notice a gradual improvement in your sleeping pattern as your eyes are less exposed to smartphones’ blue light. Moreover, the dark circles under your eyes will fade away too!
With all of the health benefits of adult colouring, it’s time to pull out the crayons, coloured pencils, and markers! You don’t need to be a professional artist to colour! If you’re searching for a fun way to unwind after a long day at work, colouring is a great way to start.
