Coloring Isn’t Just Child’s Play Anymore

I know you’re probably thinking that coloring in a silly adult coloring book is the last thing you would consider to help you ease your symptoms of anxiety. Especially if you’re fighting off panic attacks as well, coloring probably seems childish at best.

However, coloring in adult coloring books seems to be the new craze when it comes to easing anxiety and helping adults to relieve stress. There are many coloring books being published that are aimed at the “stressed out” adult population and are very popular indeed.

When you live with anxiety and panic attacks day in and day out it tends to make you a very serious and uptight person. Believe me I know because I have to deal with anxiety, nervousness, fear and panic from the moment I wake up to the time I go to bed.

Schedule Time for Yourself to De-Stress

I’m getting better at handling anxiety because I’ve made a commitment to doing things, actually many things, that help with high stress levels. Coloring is one of them. At least 3 to 4 times a week I make time to de-stress by coloring in my mandala coloring book.

It’s really important that you schedule time to do things that are relaxing and fun. As you know when you’re suffering from an anxiety disorder all your thoughts and actions center around managing it.

What makes adults think that coloring is just for kids. Many adults are just big kids anyway so why not do some of the things that made you smile when you were younger?

Part of managing my anxiety requires that I take part in activities that distract me from my constant battle. I suggest that you give coloring a try so that you can also take a break from the seriousness of dealing with your anxiety disorder.

Adult Coloring Books Popular in France and the UK

Before you totally dismiss this practice as something that could help you with your anxiety and stress levels, know that this is becoming quite popular in other countries, especially in Europe and North America.

In France and the UK adult coloring books are bestsellers and many people are praising the calming effects these types of books are having on them. Hachette, a french publisher has released a series of 20 de-stress coloring books that are very popular.

Apparently France is the number one consumer of anti-depressants and they are in desperate need of something to calm their nerves. Can you believe that these types of therapeutic adult coloring books are more popular than cook books in France now!

In the UK adult coloring books like Colour Me Good by Mel Simone have illustrations of famous celebrities like Beyonce and Lady Gaga that are helping the Brits ease their anxiety and are all the rage.

Adult Coloring Books Popular in the U.S.

In the United States two comedians have jumped on the bandwagon of publishing adult coloring books as well. Ryan Hunter and Taige Jensen, two YouTube sensations put out a Coloring for Grown-Ups series.

Even Nicholas Cage the actor has a coloring activity book out for adults. It’s called Snake Eyes: A Nicolas Cage Activity Book. It features work from famous illustrators thought out the world. It’s got puzzles, coloring pages and all types of games.

Relaxation Therapy

Coloring from a therapeutic standpoint was used in the United States by the famous psychologist Carl Jung. He applied coloring as a relaxation technique for some of his clients. He had them color mandalas and circular designs, like those seen in Church stained glass windows.

According to an article published in the Huffington Post, psychologist Gloria Martines Ayala says that “the relaxation that it provides lowers the activity of the amygdala, a basic part of our brain involved in controlling emotion that is affected by stress.”

As you probably know the amygdala is also the control center responsible for panic attacks and anxiety.

How Coloring Can Help Manage Anxiety and Stress:

*  Because the very act of coloring is relaxing it helps us de-stress.
*  Helps calm the mind. When the mind is calm your racing thoughts and obsessive thinking is less pervasive.
*  Provides a distraction from your immediate problems.
*  Helps with focus. When you focus on coloring you focus less on your worries.
*  Can have a positive effect on your mood and helps you identify your feelings. Very often we choose certain colors based on how we’re feeling.
*  Helps with the practice of mindfulness because you are forced to focus on the present moment. It’s sort of like an active meditation
*  Slows us down. This is important for me because I find that my anxiety places in me a need to rush through everything.
*  Just plain fun. When you’re engaged in an activity that is pleasant, you tend to relax and release stress.

Using coloring as a activity to keep anxiety at bay is really cool once you give it a try. When I set aside time to do this I usually end up spending much more time than I intended. I can’t wait to finish coloring the picture so that I can marvel like a kid at my latest creation.

Art therapy vs Coloring

As you know art is quite therapeutic but with coloring you don’t have to stress over what to draw. No need to stare at a blank canvas or white piece of paper wondering how you’re going to create your next masterpiece, with coloring books that is taken care of.

There are many adult coloring books on the market today that cater to all kinds of themes and tastes that adults may have. Instead of child like subjects these books have more sophisticated themes.

Coloring Book Themes

Some themes include mandalas and treasure hunts like the popular Secret Garden: An Inky Treasure Hunt and Coloring Book. There are also medieval art themes, psychedelic patterns and elaborate gardens and flowers to name a few. Check out my article on the top list of adult stress relieving coloring books here.

Coloring is easy breezy, it doesn’t cost a lot of money, there’s nothing to learn and doesn’t require a lot of time. Oh and did I mention again it’s just plain fun!

Consider that you can easily color almost anytime or anywhere to relieve your anxiety. You can do this while you’re on a bus or train, at the beach or park, while you’re waiting for your Dr. in the waiting room. Or you can color during tv commercials or while you’re in bed at night before you go to sleep.

Adult Coloring Books Make Great Xmas Gifts

With Christmas right around the corner these adult coloring books will make great presents for yourself or loved ones. Instead of gifting someone with the obvious, why not give them a nice set of Prismacolor pencils and some really cool adult coloring books.

Now I’m not suggesting that taking up coloring is going to make your anxiety and panic magically disappear forever. However I am saying that picking up some crayons and an adult coloring book can help ease your anxiety just for awhile, giving you a well deserved break from your stress.