Month: September 2021

Adult coloring is more than just a hobby. There I said it! For many people it is a gateway to mental health. Coloring is the perfect way to calm one’s body, mind and soul. And with the crazy stress we all have been experiencing lately, adult coloring has become a significant wellness and relaxation trend. This isn’t about just coloring pretty pictures (though there’s nothing wrong with that). Coloring is about giving yourself permission to be good to yourself.

So what makes adult coloring so restorative?

For many colorists coloring allows us to push negative or stressful thoughts out of our heads and lets us focus on the simple task ahead. This is fantastic anxiety relief and called Mindful Coloring (I talk about it in depth HERE). It is an almost meditative mental state that allows us to forget our daily stressors. No wonder coloring is called therapy without a therapist.

OK, MAYBE I’m a bit prejudiced. I color and make coloring pages every day. But I promise it’s not just me! Us coloring enthusiasts are everywhere and we are a growing group! So here are some reasons why adults should take up the mind relaxing activity.

4 Fabulous Reasons Why You Should Do Adult Coloring:

1) Reduce stress and anxiety: Yes, I already mentioned that. But it bears repeating! Coloring can help relax the amygdala — the fear center of our brain. According to studies, it induces the same effect as meditating by reducing the thoughts of a restless mind, soothing the mind and allowing it some rest time after a long day of work. (Super Science Alert: the amygdala is commonly thought to form the core of a neural system for processing fearful and threatening stimuli. There. So you REALLY want to calm it down. Now you can go show off your smartness in your next conversation with someone!)

According to clinical psychologist Scott M. Bea, PsyD, coloring helps increase focus. “Adult coloring requires modest attention focused outside of self-awareness. It’s a simple activity that takes us outside ourselves in the same way, cutting the lawn, knitting, or taking a Sunday drive can all be relaxing.”

2) Improves sleep: Replacing your electronic devices with coloring as a pre-bedtime ritual can work wonders. Coloring, according to experts, is a more restful activity compared to painting or sculpting. “You’re adding color to an image that has already been created. But although you have outlines, you can always color outside them. It’s your process, so you can do whatever you want,” said art therapist Cheryl Walpole.

And let’s be real – we all need more sleep! Sleep deprivation results in: reduced attention span, reduced memory, poor decision making, lack of energy, and extreme mood changes. So whip out that coloring page for your bedtime routine then get some shut eye!

3) Helps emotional and mental health: Coloring is a productive habit. It eradicates boredom and can bring structure to your life. This helps the individual remove the focus from the negative issues and habits. Adult coloring has proved to be really helpful for those suffering from obsessive-compulsive disorders, anxiety disorders, stress disorders, and depressive disorders. (Whoa – it’s almost like we NEED these calming, creative outlets! Boom.)

4) Nurtures your creative streak: We. Need. To. Be. Creative. It helps us solve problems in all areas of our life. It makes life more enjoyable. Studies show that creative people are better able to live with uncertainty because they can adapt their thinking to allow for the flow of the unknown. Coloring is an art and can help nurture the artist in you. One can graduate from simpler designs to challenging ones, thereby improving skills and getting creative juices flowing.

Adult coloring releases your inner artist and become a better functioning person!

Need some paper for printing your new coloring bundles? Check out the Neenah Premium Cardstock! Notably these sheets are very affordable! In fact I always have a pack on hand for quick coloring fun.

Need some tried and true colored pencils? I often fall back on my Prismacolor Pencils! Check out this Set of 36 Prismacolor Pencils!

About Artistry By Lisa Marie:

Artistry By Lisa Marie is a very small art studio located in Rochester, NY.  It currently consists of Lisa Marie, a hoard of colored pencils and her two small boys Luke (4) and Michael (1) (her husband John is a computer geek with no artistic skill and has bowed out of the art business).  Lisa Marie has been professionally creating art for over a decade and has created an extensive library of stunning hand-drawn coloring pages, all available for digital download.  While she has a Master’s in Art History and can talk your ear off about the Old Masters, her background is custom pet portraits and beautiful coloring pages.  Her main interests are encouraging creativity and helping colorists release their inner artist and relax.

More Reading Suggestions:

Not sure how to color in grayscale? Check out this fantastic Beginners Guide To Grayscale Coloring!

Wait, wait, wait! PRINTABLE coloring? What the heck is that? How do you even start? Relax! Leisurely click to my list of The 3 Things You Need to Start Your Printable Coloring Page Adventure!

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