Description

COLORING BOOK BENEFITS FOR ALL

How Does an Adult Coloring Book Help Relieve Stress?

Years ago, coloring was for children. Although occasionally an adult who was babysitting would color with the child, that adult wouldn't normally pick up a coloring book on their own. Recently, a new trend in coloring apps for adults has changed the way adults relieve stress. Coloring apps for adults has reached an all-time high with many apps on bestseller lists. While this may be a fun hobby for some, others find serious stress relief from coloring inside these apps.

Adults who color often call themselves colorists, and while coloring may not be curing any serious diseases, it's helping people cope with various issues in their lives. Therapists have often used art therapy as a way to provide therapy in conjunction with talking about the patient's problems. When people cannot put their anguish or depression into words, they've been asked to express themselves through art. When a person considers themselves bad at art, they aren't able to get the benefits that others might get from using art therapy as a tool. With coloring, there's no special talent needed. Everyone can color between the lines to get the benefits of stress relief.


FOUR BENEFITS TO COLORING

Dementia and Alzheimers

Art therapy and coloring can be used with dementia and Alzheimers patients to keep them grounded in the world around them. It can be used as a way for them to remain calm when they feel out of control too.

Blood Pressure

Like many other hobbies, coloring can help lower blood pressure. It can help people relax especially when combined with color therapy. The colors blue and green have been proven to provide relaxation. Pink is soft innocence while gray is considered peaceful and quiet. These colors used together can provide art therapy as well as color therapy.

Focus and Meditation

As far back as the turn of the century, psychologists would have his patients color mandalas to focus their attention. While we seem to consider coloring to be for children and the childish, it can be a great way to focus the mind and release stress through a meditative state of focus.

Reduce Anxiety

When it comes to coloring mandalas or any other complex form, there have been studies that suggest it beats randomly coloring on a blank piece of paper.


WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE COLOR?

You don't have to have PTSD or dementia to benefit from the concepts that make art therapy successful. The inability to focus on tasks is a symptom of stress and anxiety, which can be alleviated through the use of coloring apps.

Adults who spend time coloring are entering a state of focus that allows them to relax much like meditation does. When entering a meditative state, they're able to let go of thoughts that are causing anxiety. Often, the brain is switched off from negative thoughts and more narrowed in on positive ones. It can be calming to the brain as well as the body.

The repetition of patterns is often one of the most calming aspects of the coloring process. It is complex enough to seize the person's entire focus and attention while providing them a way to bring that image into a semblance of order through color.


AS A NIGHTTIME ACTIVITY

Coloring before bed can help colorists relax and get their bodies settled into a state that helps them sleep. It won't disturb the levels of melatonin in the body, or disturb the circadian rhythms needed for good sleep patterns.