Take a second to think, when was the last time you actively tried to relieve your stress?
Letting out a loud sigh and closing your eyes for 5 seconds doesn’t count.
Recently, I’ve found a new hyper fixation- coloring books.
I guess I wouldn’t necessarily say new, because this one specifically comes around every few months or so. But what better time to get back into it than midterm time?
It’s a pretty well-known fact that coloring reduces stress, but do you know how?
Well, Beaumont Health says that coloring “has the ability to relax the fear center of your brain, the amygdala. It induces the same state as meditating by reducing the thoughts of a restless mind. This generates mindfulness and quietness, which allows your mind to get some rest after a long day at work.”
Along with reducing stress, it can also improve sleep, focus, and motor skills. Plus, it can be useful for us guys and gals with anxiety and depression. It’s like a little happy distraction for your brain.
Adult coloring specifically has definitely become more popular in recent years, and for good reason. Yes, it was originally created for kids, but who said growing up means no more creativity?
When someone mentions adult coloring, most people picture complex zen tangles with a ton of fine lines and tricky patterns, but that doesn’t have to be the only option. Heck, I was using a Veggie Tales coloring book over quarantine, and you can too.
If patterns aren’t your thing, don’t feel ashamed to buy a Princess Barbie book to spark the fun.
So, if you’re interested, here’s a couple of pointers that can help you get started.
First, choose the type of pictures you like to color, as I mentioned above. Personally, I don’t like super detailed patterns, so I go for the more simple ones. The kid’s coloring section is more fun for me, but there’s tons of detailed ones if you want more of a challenge.
Then, decide how you want to color it. You can stay classic with crayons and washable markers, or you can even add details and depth with colored pencils or fancy markers. Even watercolor could be a cool option to try.
If you don’t want to go out and buy a coloring book or art supplies, there’s also tons of apps available to try as well. Sure, it may not be exactly like the real thing, but it’s easier to carry around with you if you get the sudden urge to color out of nowhere.
Another idea is to have a group coloring session. I don’t know why, but coloring with friends makes it so much more fun, so plan a time to get together with some other stressed-out students and color to your heart’s content.
The bottom line is, I am one hundred percent recommending trying out coloring, even if you don’t consider yourself an artistic person. It’s not supposed to be good, it’s just supposed to be fun and relaxing, so try it!