A childhood favorite that is now an adult fad, it’s almost impossible to leave a store and not see an adult coloring book on display. With titles like “Enchanted Forest” or “Secret Garden” and pages full of intricate designs and unique mandalas, it’s hard to resist the temptation to take a look.
I first came across adult coloring books while studying abroad in London this summer. In every museum, boutique, or bookstore we went into, there were these black and white books filled with geometric patterns. Intrigued, my friend and I bought one and a pack of markers. That night we sat in our hostel room and colored countless pages, and hours passed before we even realized it. We thought it was only a London thing until we arrived back home in the States and saw they were everywhere. Unfortunately, that’s when we learned that due to the exchange rate in London we had paid double of what they cost in America!
Adult coloring books not only provide beautiful pictures to hang on a fridge or a cute display on your desk, but also a great stress relief. According the American Art Therapy Association, coloring can be considered close to therapy in the ways that it allows personal expression, exploration of feelings, fostering of self-awareness, and it relieves anxiety. In a study in 2005, researchers found that when subjects colored geometric patterns, anxiety levels dropped. Just like the peacefulness that can be found in meditation, adult coloring allows the mind to forget about all else and focus on one thing. Sounds like a good way to forget about all the college stresses to me.
Now grab a coloring book, a pack of colored pencils, and start relaxing!
