I have a confession to make… I am an adult colorer… stay with me I know you think I am crazy!
Have you noticed the popularity of adult coloring? I thought it was ridiculous until my best friend (one of the busiest women I know who is much smarter than me), blogged about the impact on stress management I figured… if she can make time for this child-like activity, then I would give it a try. You can watch our video here.
Carl Jung was one of the earliest scientists who studied the benefits of coloring pages for adults. He found it helped them become calmer and less stressed. Coloring calms the amygdala, the part of the brain related to fear/stress response while stimulating the part of the brain responsible for creativity and logic.
Color therapy is being used with those who are anxious with stress disorders.. am I anxious … no, however I wanted to be more focused each morning and just a few minutes each day has helped that. No distraction, no technology, no social media, just me alone with my thoughts.
Psychologist Gloria Martinez Ayala says coloring involves logic and creativity; it helps incorporate the cerebral cortex, coordination and fine motor skills.
Still not convinced? Neither was I until supplies arrived from Amazon and I was hooked. Just a few minutes each day of active mediation. Meditation is the art of doing nothing. I won’t sit cross-legged and chant ommm so this is the next best thing for me.
Three strategies to help you be more focused with adult coloring … trust me you might like it!
Invest 10 minutes – I rarely color for longer than this, pick a page, choose your colors and begin. Coloring reduces the chatter of a restless mind and allows us to focus on just being in the moment. I use this time to contemplate my day and major objectives.
Get out of a rut – coloring ignites creativity and may help you think differently, select new outfits each day, update interiors in your home and get you out of a rut. Routine is great for productivity however can mess with creativity. Watch kids choose colors and model their spontaneity and lack of boundaries. We need to be more child-like in our daily activities to avoid doing things the way we have always done them.
Slow down – in a world filled with constant interruptions, texts, social media, phone calls, TV and every possible notification to get our attention this simple exercise allows you to take a breath, relax and focus on something for just a few minutes that is rewarding, good for your brain and great for your soul.
In our busy worlds just taking a few minutes to focus, ignite creativity and actively meditate may create a greater sense of calm and more control over your attention today.
If you’re a secret adult colorer like me, I’d love to hear your thoughts, share there on our blog.
