As a child I liked nothing more than a good colouring book and a pack of pens or pencils. There was no better gift at Christmas or on my birthday and I would forever have my nose stuck in a colouring book or drawing pad.
My kids are no different, they love drawing and colouring too. For years now I’ve always felt a little sneaky when I’ve borrowed one of the kid’s books and coloured in a picture myself, but now adult colouring is actually a thing!
In fact it’s a really good thing and highly encouraged.
When I was in hospital last year my husband took me down to the hospital shop to buy some magazines to keep me occupied. Then I saw an adult colouring book and some pencils and bought them instead. I found them very therapeutic, and since then I’ve not stopped colouring.
Why is Adult Colouring so Good for you?
- Colouring reduces anxiety and by focusing on the colouring you can prevent negative and unhelpful thoughts entering your mind. Keeping you calm and relaxed and not focusing on physical or emotional pain. Psychologists have been prescribing colouring books to their patients for years.
- Colouring uses parts of the brain that enhance concentration and focus which help with problem solving and organisation skills. You are using your brain to balance complex colour schemes and make the picture aesthetically pleasing.
- Colouring helps your fine motor skills and vision by incorporating the parts of the brain needed to do these things and of course the physical exercise.
- Colouring allows you to let leash your inner creative. You can colour in any way you want and choose any colours or colour combinations that you desire. It takes you back to your childhood and reconnect you with your inner child. Therapists believe that this can stop you from being so hard on yourself and so self-critical.
- Meditation is the art of doing nothing, it’s also the art of emptying the mind which helps you relax. A lot of people find it difficult to meditate but colouring can give help to induce a meditative state. Mandalas are perfect for this with their concentric designs.
- Colouring has an end result which means you get a sense of achievement. So, as well as the health benefits you also get a feeling of accomplishment and have something nice that you may wish to display…even if it’s only on your fridge door!
Emma and Three has Twelve Free printable Affirmations for you to download and colour.
Great post! As you know, I'm a fan of all papery hobbies and colouring is just so relaxing. I've not done any in a while, thanks for the reminder x
I used to love colouring when I was small. It's not something I have tried as an adult really, but I can see how it would be relaxing! 🙂
The more I hear about colouring, the more I think I should give it a try. I've enjoyed joining in with my daughter's efforts recently.
I bought some fine pens and a colouring book a few months back started a bit of colouring but then something else came up and I stopped, but stress levels are high at the moment so I must get back in to it 🙂
I am a HUGE fan of adult colouring. I find it keeps my hands busy whilst letting my mind switch off
I've got loads of adult colouring pages on my site and they've been really popular, it's a massive trend!
We've recently got into colouring a bit when D does his mindfulness colouring. How amazing that there is a Terry Pratchett one! J's english teacher has recommended that he starts reading Terry Pratchett – i remembered how fond you were of his work. x
Terry Pratchett is great for kids, we've read all his short stories and a couple of his other kid's books. But, when I started to read one of his YA books to Lucy she got a bit spooked right at the start and I guess it will be a while before she tries again. It's a shame because it's not so scary for the rest of the book. (Wee Free Men) xx
I love colouring! I have recently treated myself to some new books too. It's a fab way to switch off and have some time to myself 🙂
Thanks so much for joining in with #MMBC. Have a lovely weekend and hopefully see you next week xx
Your so right, colouring is very relaxing! I can switch off and start to unwind! Not just for kids! x