Benefits of Coloring for Adults
“The popularity of coloring books right now is part of that larger movement to break away from the hustle and bustle of life and sort of the internet you know this urge to constantly look at our phone or our computer or check our email,” said Congdon, a coloring book creator of three different coloring book versions.
What’s this Adult Coloring Trend All About?
Adult coloring is a growing trend that seems to be here to stay. They’re holding their place on bestseller’s and flying off the shelves in the bookstores. They’re said to generate wellness, quietness and also stimulate brain areas related to motor skills, the senses and creativity. Carl G. Jüng was one of the first psychologists to apply coloring as a relaxation technique in the early 20th century. Lisa Congdon, coloring book creator, reported on NBC Nightly News that she thinks coloring books are successful because they give people the chance to be creative without the intimidation of staring at a blank page, or the pressure of having to learn something new.
- Relaxes the amygdala-the fear and emotion center of the brain and prompts your mind to get the rest it needs to properly function.
- Ignites mindfulness by encouraging increased awareness of present state. Engages you in the moment.
- Improves concentration by helping you to focus on coloring, and prevents you from getting distracted which reinforces your ability to concentrate.
- Stimulates the brain and senses by utilizing your fine motor skills. The intricate sketches and designs target skills and help to sooth and relax your mind with different types of imagery. The back-and-forth movement of the crayon causes the brain to communicate which in turn refines your vision and motor skills.
- Sparks creativity by allowing you to mix and match different colors. It also encourages creative thought by motivating you to brainstorm and literally- color outside the box.
- Reduces stress by engaging you in coloring intricate sketches and compels you to hone in on what you are doing and dismiss stressors.
My First Very Own Adult Coloring Book-Love it!
As a child, I always loved coloring. It was going to be interesting to see if coloring was just as much fun as an adult. I decided to put it to the test. So, skeptically, I set out to purchase my first coloring book. Got my first book at Jo-Ann Fabrics and Crafts, of all places. There I was at the checkout stand buying some post-holiday crafting goodies and viola, there it was, The Art of Mindfulness- Serene and Tranquil Coloring by Ana Bjezancevic and Claire Carter, calling my wallet’s name. I couldn’t resist the opportunity to make it my very own and put this popular coloring trend to the test.
My First Time Coloring in 20+ Years
From the moment my marker hit my selected coloring page, I quickly connected with my inner child. Not sure if it was my imagination, but all of the fun loving, relaxed feelings I poignantly recall as a child, instantly returned. For some reason, I couldn’t put my marker down. I found myself scrambling through my daughter’s markers to find my next color selection. It certainly was nice nice not to care if I colored a little outside the lines. Surprisingly, I didn’t even care if one color even matched the other- what an awesome feeling.
My Final Verdict on Adult Coloring Books
Overall, I have to admit, my experience was refreshingly nice. It felt great to experience a carefree and relaxed state of mind. Frankly, I enjoyed it so much that I find myself looking forward to coloring every chance I get which isn’t that often, but just enough for me to reap the wonderful effects of it.
Adult coloring, officially receives my stamp of approval. I’m hooked and loving it. I highly recommend it as an affordable, convenient and relaxing pastime. If you’ve been considering, I say with no reservation”go for it!” Here’s your chance, grab a couple of crayons, markers or colored pencils and give these free Pinterest printables or take a stab at Wendy Piersall’s free coloring pages. And if you really want to get frisky with it, here’s a great article with oodles of mindful coloring resources fractuslearning . Don’t forget to let us know what you think about adult color or share your coloring experiences with us in the comments section below.
References: NBCNightlyNews
