For many people, colouring books are a first introduction to art-making, an activity they may have previously thought beyond their capability. Anecdotal evidence indicates that they then go on to other art-related activities, which is positive in terms of wellbeing and resilience. It may also get them to explore art therapy as a therapeutic intervention for themselves. Actually using one's hands to do something different than working on keyboards is really useful to calm some of the 'tape on a loop' thoughts. It engages the right-side of the brain which is linked to creativity and imagination." Knitting There aren’t any studies yet that have established the full benefits of coloring, but a lot of people believe that it is a healthy way to relax and unwind. In addition, art is known to be an effective method for calming your senses and emotions. However, Graham Doke, founder of Anamaya and Anamaya for school sees these books as nothing more than a temporary solution to an ongoing problem.

Over at Happiful Magazine, we have also created articles on must-read books for anxious kids, as well as can mindful colouring help calm anxious kids. For example, because you're focusing on color choice and staying inside the lines, you're only thinking about the present moment. You can shut off the noise around you, and give your mind the gift of focusing on the movements, sensations and emotions of your present moment. The soothing nature of jigsaw puzzles allows us to relax, lowering our heart rate and blood pressure. The intense focus means we breathe deeply and release tension. These benefits make jigsaws great for those suffering from stress or anxiety. When doing a jigsaw puzzle we are exercising both sides of our brain simultaneously. This creates the connections that increase our abilities to learn, understand and remember. It also puts the brain into the same mental state we experience while dreaming, therefore naturally inducing this state of imaginative and engrossed meditation." Adult coloring books are not the only form of art-making that may help with anxiety. Free-form painting and clay modeling have also been shown to lead to short-term anxiety reduction. If coloring books are not your thing, try painting, pottery, or other artistic pursuits that encourage stress relief.Adult colouring books are a one-off short term relaxation device, the pacifier, which will work only if you concentrate. They have no effect in the long term. In the end, a proper programme of mind training is essential. Mindfulness is simply one component of such a programme, but there is more to training the mind than simply trying to sit without thinking." Alternatives to colouring Some people don't find coloring to be relaxing or enjoyable, especially those who didn't like to color as a child. That's OK. Other fun ways to relieve stress include:

But what makes adult coloring so popular? Coloring can improve your health by: Promoting mindfulness Christine cites a 2015 survey by Microsoft, which found our attention spans (thanks to smartphones) to have reduced from 12 to 8 seconds since the year 2000 – less than that of a goldfish! She says that all this distraction is to blame for our stressed-out existence. Symmetrical patterns of lines, dots, stars, hearts and more radiate from the center in layers, waiting to be colored with careate details and shapes.

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Although coloring isn't the ultimate cure for stress and anxiety, sitting down for a long coloring session holds great value. As you color, pay attention to your breathing rhythm, ensuring steady, full breaths from your diaphragm, and tune into your heart rate periodically if you can. Embracing the imperfect It's no secret that pets make us happy. Their love is unconditional, they are always happy to see us, and they're adorable. Spend some quality time with a pet, or volunteer at an animal shelter if you don't have pets of your own.

The image shows a motivational message that says “KEEP GOING” in the center of a rectangular mandala. The words are written in capital letters and have a bold outline. Joel Bobby is a licensed independent clinical social worker in Psychiatry & Psychology in Austin, Minnesota. Deep breathing is a great way to reduce your body's response to perceived threats. Breathe in through your nose for five seconds and hold for two seconds. Then release your breath through your mouth for five seconds.Coloring mandala images is proven to decrease stress and anxiety levels. If you want to experience a deep sense of tranquility, this is the ideal artwork for you to color and enjoy. Indeed, thousands of these books are being marketed as 'stress-relieving', suggesting that the public is looking for a way to combat the negative effects of modern life. Christine Hohlbaum, author of The Power of Slow: 101 ways to save time in our 24/7 World, spoke to us about the importance of 'me' time, and how colouring fits into this: Val Huet, Chief Executive Officer at the British Association of Art Therapists (BAAT) spoke to us about how colouring can act as a stepping stone to other therapeutic activities: Massaging the pressure points in your earlobes brings on a calming, relaxing sensation over your body. Do this for a few minutes, and you may start to feel some relief. Try to let go of judgments or expectations and enjoy the simple beauty of coloring. It doesn't matter if your picture is neat or messy. The only thing that matters is if you found enjoyment and relaxation while coloring. Other ways to relieve stress

Reading is a great way to wind down. Like coloring, it helps you lose yourself in the moment and forget about your work or other stressors. Practice being nonjudgmental as you go through the task with no expectations — just being in the moment. If your mind wanders, which is normal, gently return to what you are experiencing right now. While coloring, you use the parts of your brain that enhance focus and concentration. It gives you the opportunity to disconnect from stressful thoughts. Relieving stress Research shows that this particular activity relaxes the amygdala, the part of the brain that regulates our emotions. Coloring seems to have the same effect as meditation, since it eases and clears the mind. The power of the jigsaw also extends even further, as studies have found that the puzzles can lead to a longer life expectancy and reduce our chances of developing certain types of illness including memory loss, dementia, and even Alzheimer's disease. The text is surrounded with a detailed mandala pattern which complements the artwork really well. What colors will you use to create a colorful mandala pattern?Together with Happiful Kids, we have also created a series of short comic strips to help explain anxiety, mindful colouring, and worry trees to young children. 5. Articles and book recommendations Mindfulness' is defined by the Mental Health Foundation as activities that help us become more aware of our thoughts and feelings so that, instead of being overwhelmed by them, we are better able to manage them and in turn cope with our daily lives more effectively. So does colouring really fall under this category? Christine thinks so: Coloring images is, without a doubt, a great way to cool down and relax. Imagine how much more therapeutic it is to color artworks with encouraging quotes and mandala patterns?