If you're feeling stressed or anxious, you might not be in the mood to try a new relaxation technique. But what if we told you that something as simple as creating artwork by coloring could help reduce your anxiety?
Does coloring help with anxiety?
Coloring has long been used as a form of therapy for both children and adults, and it can be a great way to ease your anxiety symptoms. Keep reading to learn more about the mental health benefits of coloring.
This is one of the reasons the adult coloring book trend took of so well.
What is Coloring as Therapy?
For many of us, coloring was something we did as children and then moved on from. However, in recent years, coloring has made a comeback as a way to relax and de-stress. While some may scoff at the idea of coloring as therapy, there is actually some science to back up its benefits. Coloring requires focus and attention, which can help to temporarily redirect our minds from anxious or negative thoughts.
Self-care activities for your whole family
Coloring also allows us to tap into our creative side, which can be therapeutic in itself. And finally, the act of coloring can actually help your body relax, physically relieve muscle tension and improve your grip strength. So next time you're feeling stressed, reach for a coloring book and crayons instead of a bottle of wine. You may be surprised at how much better you feel.
You can color geometric patterns, cartoon characters, animals or whatever you want, there is no right or wrong way. The benefits of adult coloring are about reducing anxiety and to alleviate stress not creating art.
Get Free coloring pages of families
The American Art Therapy Association encourages individuals to use coloring books for enjoyable and beneficial self-care practices. However, these activities should not be confused with professional art therapy services which require the involvement of a certified art therapist. During this process, the client is actively engaged with the art therapist in an environment that provides clinical assessments and psychosocial interventions that can help improve mental health.
Coloring also known as color meditation, is a type of therapy that uses coloring books and pages as a way to relax the mind and ease stress and anxiety. It's considered a low-cost and low-risk therapy, making it an accessible option for many people. Art therapies like coloring are often used in addition to traditional talk therapies.
How does coloring compare to art therapy?
Art therapy is a form of therapy that uses art as a means of communication. It can be used to help people express themselves, work through difficult emotions, and explore their creative side. Art therapy can be beneficial for people of all ages and backgrounds, and it can be used to address a variety of mental health issues.
One of the benefits of art therapy is that it can help people to express themselves in a non-verbal way. For people who find it difficult to express their feelings verbally, art therapy can provide an outlet for emotions that might otherwise remain bottled up. Art therapy can also be used to explore creative side, and to develop new skills and interests. It can also be helpful in promoting relaxation and reducing stress.
There is no clear research on how adult coloring compares to art therapy, as both therapies involve the use of creative expression. However, some experts argue that coloring may be less intensive and more relaxing than art therapy, making it a good option for those who looking for a taster experience.
How Does Coloring Help With Anxiety?
For many people who experience anxiety, their minds are constantly racing with negative thoughts. Coloring can help by providing a distraction from these intrusive thoughts, allowing you to focus on something more positive and calming. The repetitive nature of coloring can also help to ease anxiety symptoms by promoting mindfulness and helping you to focus on the present moment.
Sarah's story
Sarah from Alabama, United States, and is in her early twenties. She is a college student and part-time barista. She finds that it helps her to relax and forget her troubles for a while. When she's feeling anxious or stressed, she likes to sit down with her coloring book and crayons and lose herself in the patterns and colors. Sarah has found that coloring is a great way to calm her mind and body after a long day.
As soon as she sat down at the table with her adult coloring books and crayons, Sarah could feel her mind begin to calm down. She had always enjoyed coloring, but lately it had become a true form of therapy for her. The repetitive nature of coloring allowed her to focus on the present moment, and the calming colors and patterns were a welcome distraction from the intrusive thoughts that often plagued her mind.
Coloring was also a great way to relax her body and mind after a long day. Sometimes she would spend hours lost in her coloring books and even free coloring pages, and before she knew it she'd feel more relaxed and at ease. It was like a mini-vacation for her mind, and she always looked forward to it when she was feeling stressed or anxious.
On one especially stressful day at work, after dealing with a demanding customer making unkind comments and a boss that didn't seem to care about the impact on her self-esteem, Sarah was feeling especially anxious. She had a lot of work to do, and she was feeling overwhelmed. But as soon as she opened her coloring book and started filling in the intricate patterns, she could feel herself begin to relax.
The anxiety slowly faded away as she focused on the task at hand, and before long she was completely lost in the colors and shapes.
It was like a magic trick: just by using an adult coloring book, Sarah could transform her stress and anxiety into peace and calm. She loved how coloring could help her forget her troubles for a while and simply enjoy the present moment. Thank goodness for this wonderful form of therapy!
Benefits of Coloring
Coloring can provide several benefits for people who experience anxiety. These benefits include:
Potential benefits from adult coloring books include
- Reduced stress and anxiety levels
- Improved mood and mental health
- Increased ability to focus
- Improved sleep quality
- Improve hand eye coordination.
-Improve motor skills
- Reconnect with the present moment
- Alternative to meditative exercise
- Intricate designs help with visual problem-solving skills
- Increase self-esteem
How do adult coloring books help with Anxiety?
For many people, anxiety is a constant presence in their lives. Even small everyday tasks can feel overwhelming, and it can be difficult to find ways to relax and ease the stress. One activity that has been shown to help with anxiety is adult coloring books.
The act of coloring requires focus and attention, which can help to distract from anxious thoughts. In addition, the repetitive nature of coloring can help to create a sense of calm and relaxation.
Finally, the creative outlet provided by adult coloring books can help to express some of the emotions that are associated with anxiety. As a result, adult coloring books can be an effective tool for managing anxiety.
More tips for reliving anxiety
When you're feeling anxious, it can be hard to know what to do. But there are some simple things you can do to start feeling better right away. First, try to identify what's making you anxious. Are you worried about a specific situation, such as an upcoming test or presentation? Or are you feeling overwhelmed by everything that's going on in your life? Once you know what's causing your anxiety, you can start to take steps to address it.
One of the most effective ways to reduce anxiety is to spend time with people who make you feel good. Whether it's catching up with a friend over coffee or going for a walk with your family, quality time with people you care about can help boost your mood and ease your anxiety. If you don't have anyone you can spend time with, reach out to a professional therapist or counselor who can help you learn how to cope with anxiety.
Try coloring what you enjoy, for example, if you enjoy fashion or social connections, you may enjoy these coloring pages themed around friends you can download for free.
Another way to reduce anxiety is to get moving. Exercise is a great way to relieve stress and take your mind off of whatever is causing your anxiety. Even just a few minutes of moderate exercise can help reduce your anxiety levels. So go for a walk, take a yoga class, or go for a swim. You'll not only feel better physically, but you'll also feel calmer and more relaxed mentally.
Finally, try to find some healthy ways to relax and unwind. This could include reading, listening to music, or spending time in nature. When you take time for yourself, you'll be better able to handle whatever is causing your anxiety. And if you're still struggling, don't hesitate to reach out for help from a professional therapist or counselor. There's no shame in seeking help when you're struggling. With the right support, you can overcome anxiety and start living the life you want.
Get Started with a adult coloring book
If you're looking for a simple and easy way to reduce your anxiety, look no further than your local coloring book store (or even just your own home!).
Coloring has long been used as a form of relaxation and can be incredibly effective at reducing stress and anxiety levels. So the next time you're feeling overwhelmed, reach for some crayons and give it a try!
Adult coloring books are not an alternative to seeking the help of a mental health professional.
