Colouring Books Are Not Just For Children. Here Are 5 Reasons Why You Should Take To Them Too

We all know that children simply love colouring and can spend hours doing it. But colouring is said to have calming effect on adults as well. Here, we look at five benefits of colouring books for adults: 

Calming effect 

A 2005 research published in the Art Therapy: Journal of the American Art Therapy Association found that colouring helps reduce anxiety. A group of college students was asked to first write about something that induced anxiety. Then, they were asked to colour a blank page or a plaid print or a circular pattern called mandala. The study found that those who coloured the plaid print or the mandala felt less anxious than those who coloured the blank page. 

Wake up your inner artist

When you colour intricate patterns and designs, they instantly bring out your creativity. You think of the colours that you would use, work out a combination that would look better and you may even think of experimenting a bit. It points to a mind that is at ease and is willing to think creatively. 

Improve your focus

Colouring can also help improve your focus. “It opens up your frontal lobe, which controls organizing and problem-solving, and allows you to put everything else aside and live in the moment, generating focus,” says Beaumont Health, which runs several hospitals in Michigan, US. 

Therapeutic effect

Art, including colouring, is known to have therapeutic benefits. Art therapy is being increasingly used to help people express themselves better and work on their mental well-being. 

Sleep better

Your mobile phone, laptop or tablet will not give you the mental break you crave for. But a colouring book can, especially before going to bed. Enough has been written about the blue light from digital devices disrupting your sleeping pattern. Colouring before bedtime, on the other hand, can relax your eyes and help you sleep better.