Over the last ten years, coloring has shifted from a child’s activity to a socially acceptable training for adults, too, amidst claims that coloring helps adults de-stress. As a result, roughly 12 million adult coloring books were sold at the adult coloring book movement peak in 2015.
Adult coloring books can be purchased at most craft stores, supermarkets, bookstores, and online retailers like Amazon. The tools to get started run less than $20, making it a fun and equally inexpensive hobby for reducing stress.
The Best Type of Coloring for Stress and Anxiety Relief
Tons of coloring books on the market will claim to provide stress relief or relaxation, and many of them will. But some may offer better stress relief than others, according to research.
Mandalas and Other Patterns
If you have any experience with adult coloring books or apps, you’ve likely run into quite a few with patterns or mandalas (intricate circular geometric patterns). Science suggests that these patterns may produce the best stress relief.
Looking for the perfect mandala coloring book? Check out our article on the best Mandala Coloring.
Coloring an intricate geometric pattern resulted in a more significant reduction in anxiety levels than coloring freely. Participants were exposed to an anxiety-induction experience and then given either a mandala, a plaid pattern, or a blank piece of paper to color for 20 minutes. Those who colored the mandala or plaid pattern experienced more significant anxiety-reduction levels and were less stressed than they were before the anxiety-inducing activity. Mandalas have even been found to reduce symptoms of trauma for people who have post-traumatic stress disorder.
These de-stressing effects may be why mandalas remain one of the most popular types of coloring pages and books. (Plus, they look cool.)
Follow Your Interests
If you have a particular interest, there is probably a coloring page or collection that matches or aligns with that theme. You can find coloring pages for cats, dogs, birds, plants, Disney… the list goes on. With that in mind, choosing a coloring page or book with a theme that makes you happy or relaxed can only add to your coloring experience! Try to pick something that you find calming or soothing for the best impact.
Coloring Apps
While coloring book apps won’t have quite the same impact on your brain as coloring on paper, some of the stress-reducing effects of coloring may transfer over to digital forms of coloring, and many coloring apps can be accessed for free. This might be a good option for you if you worry about artistic confidence or stress about perfection. Consider apps if you want to ease your transition back into the coloring world.
Other Stress-Relieving Effects of Coloring
Coloring can do more than calm you down or reduce stress and anxiety. It can also contribute to other things that can improve your overall happiness and reduce stress levels.
Coloring for Better Sleep
Coloring may also contribute to better sleep when substituted for electronics in your pre-bedtime routine. Electronic devices have been proven to disrupt your circadian rhythm (the natural processes that control your sleep-wake cycle), contribute to insomnia, and reduce the sleep hormone melatonin production. By comparison, coloring can be a great way to process and shed off the stress of the day without disturbing your body’s level of melatonin. It’s worth noting that coloring apps can be an excellent way to relax during the day but might not be the best choice for your pre-bedtime routine, as the light from the electronics can still influence your circadian rhythm. For this reason, you’ll want to reach for a good old-fashioned paper to try and color your way to better sleep.
Building Community and Confidence
Adult coloring groups have popped up on social media and in coloring apps, which provide both inspiration and a sense of community. Sharing work with others can give you ideas to upgrade or shake up your coloring projects, improve your confidence, and help you engage with other people who share similar interests.
Coloring can also be a significant step into other art forms, as it boosts confidence in your skills, generates familiarity with artistic mediums, and exercises your skills with precision and control. If you’re interested in art but find drawing stressful, coloring can be a great alternative or a significant first step. Drawing freely can be a good stress relief for some, but coloring an existing design releases you from your art’s worries, not matching your mental image or having to come up with designs of your own.
Improving Mindfulness
Mindfulness—aiming to focus your attention on the present—is a great way to reduce overall stress and contribute to happiness levels. Coloring as an activity is a great way to promote mindfulness. It encourages you to slow down and focus on the moment through the decision-making process and a pencil’s tactile experience to paper. Coloring can help facilitate mindfulness by forcing you to switch off your extraneous thoughts.
Coloring vs. Art Therapy
It is important to remember that coloring is not therapy and should not be used as a replacement for art therapy. However, coloring and art therapy have some things in common. Adult coloring is relatively new, but the positive impacts of art therapy are long-standing and well-documented, and some of these positive effects can translate over to coloring. In one study, individuals were assigned either to color independently or with an art therapist in a studio environment. Both groups experienced reduced stress, but the art therapist session also enhanced perceptions of creativity and self-esteem.
Start your stress relief today! Click here to download my free adult coloring eBook and sign up for my email newsletter!
Disclaimer: The information provided by ColoringMasterpiece.com (“The Site”) is for general informational purposes only. All information on the Site is provided in good faith, however, we make no representation or warranty of any kind, express or implied, regarding the accuracy, adequacy, validity, reliability, availability, or completeness of any information on the Site. Under no circumstance shall we have any liability to you for any loss or damage of any kind incurred as a result of the use of the Site or Reliance on any information provided on the Site. Your use of the Site and your reliance on any information on the Site is solely at your own risk. This blog post is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Please consult a legal expert to address your specific needs.
Terms and Conditions: https://coloringmasterpiece.com/terms-and-conditions/
