Adult coloring books have flooded shelves everywhere in the last few years.
From grocery stores to your favorite online retailer, these books — with their empty patterns of mandalas, animals and floral designs — seem to be everywhere. But what makes them so popular? According to clinical psychologist Scott M. Bea, PsyD, it has everything to do with refocusing our attention.
“Adult coloring requires modest attention focused outside of self-awareness, Dr. Bea says. “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.”
1.Attention flows away from ourselves.
A simple act, such as coloring, takes your attention away from yourself (and those things that are stressing you out!) and onto the present-moment event. In this way, it is very much like a meditative exercise.
2.It relaxes the brain.
When thoughts are focused on this simple activity, your brain tends to relax. The difficulties of life evaporate from your awareness, and both your body and your brain may find this rewarding.
3.Low stakes make it pleasurable.
Go ahead: color outside the lines! The outcome of coloring isn’t predictable or prescriptive. It can be as neat — or as messy — as you choose, and this is one of its relaxing perks. It is hard to screw up coloring, and, even if you do, there is no real consequence.
Adult coloring can be a wonderful escape, rather than a demanding test of our capacities Having hobbies to help de-stress is nothing new, whether people like to golf, cook, build model airplanes or put together scrap books. But with the current state of daily life with COVID-19, and so many uncertainties looming in the distance, coloring might just be the ticket to help you unwind and re-center.
Download free therapeutic coloring template here : https://www.ekatrahandmade.com/product-page/healing-together-free-printable-coloring-papers
If this is working for you , please share your experience in the comment section:)