According to psychologists, colouring helps relax the amygdala–the fear center of the brain–thus reducing stress levels in individuals.
What if we tell you that your anxiety levels can be reduced with a little help from your crayons?
Well, we’re not kidding. If your office work refuses to end or your personal life isn’t smooth-sailing, it might just be the right time for you to include the concept of adult colouring books in your life. According to a new trend, adult colouring books are serving as great tools for reducing stress levels, according to psychologists. As reported by Bustle.com, clinical psychologist Ben Michaelis believes that by indulging in a stress-free activity like colouring, one relaxes the amygdala–the fear center of the brain–and ends up giving it the comfort it needs.
We give you five reasons to believe that adult colouring books have more to them than just being sources of entertainment and fun.
Colouring has been prescribed to patients for over 100 years
Renowned psychologist Carl Jung was known to prescribe colouring books to his patients. He was a firm believer in the concept of Mandalas–circular designs that reflect the wholeness of the person creating them. He used to prescribe colourable Mandala patterns to his patients as a tool for true and accurate psychological expression.
Colouring helps you get rid of fear and anxiety
Colouring relaxes the fear center of your brain–amygdala. It is a meditative and relaxing activity that lets you have fun while relaxing you overall.
It helps you stay focussed
The focus and dedication required for colouring cannot be exaggerated upon enough. One has to be vigilant, organised and aware while on a colouring spree. Colouring helps people forget their worries and focus on the task at hand instead, thus reducing their stress levels.
Improves your motor skills
The task of colouring isn’t a menial one. It requires communication between two brain hemispheres, which in turn improves your motor skills and vision. For psychologist Gloria Martinez Ayala, “Action involves both logic, by which we colour forms, and creativity, when mixing and matching colors.” Much like crossword puzzles, colouring books are therapeutic and may delay or prevent the onset of dementia in older individuals.
It connects you with the society
That colouring has existed for a long time is known to all, but from being a solo activity to becoming a full-fledged social activity, colouring has come a long way. Artist Lisa Congdon, who believe that colouring has certain social aspects, says “I think for women who don’t know how to draw or don’t feel comfortable or confident drawing, this is another way to socialise and have an activity that they can do with other people. And because you don’t need to concentrate very much when you’re colouring on a colouring book, you can talk and have a glass of wine!”
