Back in the day, a box of Crayola crayons was to me then what a chocolate candy bar is to me now: unmitigated heaven. I never considered myself much of an artist. Staying inside the lines didn’t appeal to me (and that inner rebel has stayed with me throughout the years), but I had always loved the feel, smell and, on rare occasions, the taste (don’t judge me; I was young and going through my experimental phase) of crayons.
From my teen years up through adulthood, the allure of crayons wore off and I moved on from wild scribbling on scraps of paper and coloring books to a more mature, artful and creative pursuit—writing while drinking wine…in colorful glasses. No, it’s not quite the same, but you can’t blame a woman for trying.
As the daily pressures of being responsible adults continues to mount, we’re sometimes zapped of all manner of energy. Then, stress sneaks in to wreak havoc. Let’s face it: stress is a killer. It takes a toll on our bodies and our mental well-being. “I’m just loving all of this wonderful stress that I’m dealing with,” said no one . . . ever.
Why can’t life be simple, pleasant, fun, stress-free – even for adults?
Get ready for a heapin’ dose of stress relief! It’s time to pull out your crayons, pens or coloring pencils and let your creative juices flow with—wait for it—adult coloring books! Oh, what . . . you didn’t know? Haven’t you heard? Coloring books aren’t just for kids anymore!
Coloring is an alternative way for the big kids in all of us to relax, relieve anxiety and reduce stress. Psychologist Carl Jüng was one of the first to utilize coloring as a technique for relaxation with his patients. Jüng isn’t alone. Some psychologists also believe that coloring books are a great aid in combating stress and tension. And when you concentrate on staying in the lines, that simple act can help to enhance your creativity and focus. It’s a different form of therapy for adults.
The trend has exploded in the last few years and shows no signs of abating. Grownups everywhere are dipping back into their childhood pool and resurfacing with a calmer, more relaxed state of mind.
As of 9:30 a.m. (eastern time) on Tuesday, November 3, coloring books made it into the top 20 on Amazon’s Best Sellers List. The yet-to-be-released Harry Potter Coloring Book claimed the no. 5 spot; no. 7 is Adult Coloring Books: A Coloring Book for Adults Featuring Mandalas and Henna Inspired Flowers, Animals, and Paisley Patterns, the Secret Garden: An Inky Treasure Hunt and Coloring Book came in at no. 10, Adult Coloring Book: Stress Relieving Patterns was no. 11 and bringing up the rear at no. 20 is Enchanted Forest: An Inky Quest & Coloring Book.
I have coloured in forever (before it became fashionable). I’ve used any pretty kids colouring book I could find and also pictures I’ve downloaded. Now the adult versions are everywhere and they are a different challenge. I love colouring because I’m not artsy but would love to be! It also engages a part of my brain that stops me thinking about other things – time and stress disappear while I’m doing it.
~Leanne Le Cras / Cresting the Hill
Adult coloring books are the least expensive and most effective anti-depression tool on the market; perhaps they should take the place of hormone replacement meds!
~Judy Butler Mullins
I love to color! Some of my best childhood memories are coloring with mom and grandmother in my Raggedy Ann coloring book. I also used to color with my boys when they were toddlers, so more good memories there. So, partly, coloring just brings back great memories (and thus great feelings). But I recently latched onto the ‘adult coloring book’ trend and bought the book below for myself. It totally relaxes me, helps clear my mind and taps into my creative side. I will sometimes color in the same room as my hubby and boys while they’re watching a ‘guy movie’ like Star Wars.
~Lisa Kaminski Beach / Lisa Beach Writes
I love how coloring brings up such positive memories for so many!
~Laura Lee Carter / Adventures of the New Old Farts
Coloring books and colored pencils take me back to peaceful moments when I was a child – and for someone who appreciates order and control, staying within the lines is very soothing.
~Sharon Hodor Greenthal / Empty House, Full Mind
I am very positive about the adult coloring books! It is fun, easy and colourful. And when it is finished the result is a little personal masterpiece you would never had made or even started if you did not had the book!
~Brenda van Lammeren / Read more about Brenda HERE
Even thinking about coloring as an adult can conjure up fond feelings from childhood. Just ask N’Zinga, who, although she hasn’t yet taken up coloring again, is reminded of her creations that began with doodling.
I’m going to start. As a girl I actually loved to scribble scrabble with pencil and then go back in and color randomly with pencil only to create some amazing pictures. Where you stare at it and then something pops out , such as a bird, or a face. I’m really beginning to embrace mindfulness practice.
~N’Zinga Smith
For all its praises, however, others are not totally sold on the idea of grown-up coloring books.
It’s great for some – like those Wine and Canvas groups, but I have discovered water color and acrylic and would rather spend my time doing those.”
~Yvonne Ransel / Yvonne’s Musings
From the ‘been there, done that’ department, Lois Alter Mark (Midlife at the Oasis) tried coloring as an adult and wasn’t too fond of it.
It must work for a lot of people because there is a huge section of adult coloring books at Barnes and Noble. That’s great but I find it stressful and a waste of time. This was my first (and last) effort.
As proof, Lois offers us Exhibit “A” – her first and last stab at coloring as an adult:
Still on the fence about grown-up coloring books? Higher Perspectives offers 23 different complimentary coloring pages, featuring Mandala (noun man·da·la / def: a Hindu or Buddhist graphic symbol of the universe; specifically : a circle enclosing a square with a deity on each side that is used chiefly as an aid to meditation. Merriam-Webster) as well as abstracts, that you can print out and use. You’ll find those pages HERE.
Free your inner artist and give it a try!
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Have you tried coloring books as an adult as an aid to relieve stress, anxiety or just for the fun of it? Did you enjoy it? Why? Tell me your thoughts in the comments.
There are some absolutely gorgeous colouring books out there – love the trend! My dream is to create one myself – so far I’ve only managed the time to make a handful of individual colouring pages, but some day (hopefully before the trend passes) I’ll get there and do a book of my own!
That’s wonderful Laurel. I have yet to try coloring as an adult, but I hear such positive things about it. As the old saying goes, “there’s no time like the present.”
I’ve been an illustrator for over 35 years. I used to tell people I colored for a living. I know well the relaxing benefits of ‘coloring’ and miss the many hours I used to spend with my large collection of Prismacolor pencils. I wonder if they miss me too?
Kimberly XO
Pick up your Prismacolor pencils and rekindle that flame, Kimberly!
I’ve read about the adult coloring books and never game the a second thought. your discussion has given me reason to go out and try it–reasons beyond the pure pleasure of coloring without having to create the design.
I hear you…I never thought of the therapeutic benefits of coloring until I did a little reading on it.
Hey Valerie,
I loved your article and agree it is a great way to de-stress. Mrs jonjon shares your passion and mentioned to me that she feels confined by the lines and what she really wants is a coloring book that will help her to gradiate from one color into the next, so more like a real drawing than block colors. Have you heard of such books? Do you know if they even exist?
Thanks
Hi John. Unfortunately, I’m not exactly sure what you’re referring to, but I’m sure if you perhaps do a Google search, if it exists, the internet will tell you where you can find such a thing. Happy destressing!