Here’s How Colouring Can Help Ease Anxiety & Stress
Adult colouring books are becoming more and more popular, and there’s a very powerful reason why. Yes, it is a fun way to reconnect with your inner child, but there’s something more at play here. Did you know that colouring can actually help reduce stress, slow down racing thoughts and calm feelings of anxiety?
That’s right. Colouring is a helpful tool for mindfulness and mental wellbeing.
Several studies have been conducted over the years, which demonstrated several reasons why colouring is quite a useful stress relieving tool for adults. Interested to know more? Read on!
1. It forces you to pay attention to detail
When we’re anxious or stressed, our minds tend to go a bit all over the place. One may become fidgety and restless, or go into a spiral of negative thoughts. For some, they are unable to focus on simple tasks or have trouble regulating their breath. We lose our sense of focus and find it difficult to concentrate. The act of colouring within a particular pattern allows you to tune your attention to the details of the artwork, thus bringing back some concentration and a sense of control. When your mind is immersed in choosing the right colours, or staying between the lines, other thoughts of worry slip away, helping you regain your focus once again.
2. It puts you in a calming, meditative state
It has been observed that repetitive action, or focussing on a single task can put us in a meditative state (have you ever zoned out while doing the dishes or folding laundry?). Similarly, colouring too is a therapeutic action that allows your mind to tune out a lot of mental chatter and zone in on the images, hues and patterns in front of you, putting you in a relaxed flow state.
3. The low stakes make it a pleasurable activity
In our day to day lives, we tend to put a lot of pressure on ourselves to perform well (at work, school, or in competitive events), to be a good friend, and to do more than what’s expected of us. This is because we believe that poor performance in these areas can impact other aspects of life; for example: the risk of losing a job, or missing out on quality relationships. An activity like colouring, doesn’t hold such high stakes and so we’re able to enjoy it without the pressure of being perfect. So what if the colours spill outside the line, or you pick mismatched shades? It’s simply a form of easy relaxation and the low chance of risk or rewards makes it more enjoyable.
4. It relaxes the brain and reduces intrusive thoughts
When our mind is focussed on the act of colouring, it calls upon the child within us and our brain tends to relax, focusing on the feelings of joy and calm. The flow state we mentioned earlier allows us to get engrossed in the activity, removing distractions and keeping out intrusive thoughts (even if for a short time).
{Please note, we only suggest colouring as a relaxing, therapeutic activity, and not as a treatment for mental health disorders. If you are struggling with chronic stress, anxiety or depression, it is recommended that you consult with a mental health professional.}
So, there you have it. Want to try out the benefits of colouring for yourself? You can try our Mini Mandala colouring books- they’re filled with beautiful and calming designs and are compact enough for you to carry anywhere! Whip out the colours and this book whenever you’re feeling uninspired or stressed and let the stress ebb away. Whether it’s a few minutes or a few hours, it’s an activity we’re sure you will enjoy!