When I was a kid, all I wanted to do was color. I used to take coloring books and crayons with me everywhere and I would use them every time I got the chance. So many people think of coloring as a kid’s activity, but there are actually many amazing coloring books for adults that you can buy and use as a tool for stress management. They’re usually pretty cheap, and there’s no pressure to be an artist since the lines are already drawn for you! The act of coloring is relaxing, and because of it, we often feel much less stressed after we have spent some time with our crayons.
Coloring as a stress management tool When I sit down to color, I sometimes find myself getting lost in the fun of it and spending hours on a picture. I am able to focus all my attention on the act and forget about all the things that were occupying my mind, which is actually one of the biggest reasons that coloring is such an effective stress management tool! Coloring can help lower stress levels because when we are focusing on the art, we are not thinking about all the worries we may have (Brooks, 2017). Taking mental space away from our stressors gives us time to breath without all that weight, which helps to quiet our stress response and all the negative symptoms that can come with it. We are practicing the art of mindfulness and living in the present as well when we color, since we are so absorbed in the colors we will pick and the lines we will use (UC Davis Health, 2016). Since mindfulness practice has been proven to eliminate a wide variety of stress symptoms in our bodies, this is a really fun way to receive those benefits while at the same time working out our creative muscles. Also, when we relax to color, our brains “lower activity in the amygdala,” which is the area of the brain that is responsible for our fight-or-flight stress (Piedmont Health). Coloring has been shown to reduce levels of anxiety and depression in college students specifically, so this is definitely something to give a shot when you are feeling overwhelmed with the responsibilities that being a student can bring (UC Davis Health, 2016). Try it! It is very easy to practice coloring as a stress management technique. The first step is, of course, to get a coloring book or some coloring pages, and something to color with! I personally like to color with markers because I love the bright, bold appearance they leave, but you can color with whatever you desire. The next step is then to open your book and color, remembering to be mindful while doing so for the added benefits that it can have on our stress levels. You could also try leaving your phone in another room since it is not required for the activity (Piedmont Health). The blue screen lights and the stimulation that technology brings can actually negatively influence our stress, so this could be another way to reap even more benefits from this simple activity. As you can see, coloring is a cheap and effective tool we can utilize to help us relax and lower our levels of stress and its effects on our bodies. Head over to your local Target, Walmart, or craft store to find everything you will to create beautiful art and live a more peaceful life. References Bea, S. (2015, November 13). 3 Reasons Adult Coloring Can Actually Relax Your Brain. Retrieved from: https://health.clevelandclinic.org/3-reasons-adult-coloring-can-actually-relax-brain/. Brooks, K. (2017, December 6). Coloring Isn’t Just For Kids. It Can Actually Help Adults Combat Stress. Retrieved from: https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/10/13/coloring-for-stress_n_5975832.html Piedmont Healthcare. (n.d.). Do coloring books for adults decrease stress? Retrieved from: https://www.piedmont.org/living-better/do-coloring-books-for-adults-decrease-stress UC Davis Health. (2016, February 23). Coloring therapy helps ease patients’ stress. Retrieved from: https://www.ucdmc.ucdavis.edu/welcome/features/2015-2016/02/20160223_cancer-coloring-therapy.html.
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AuthorHannah Brewington Archives
November 2018
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