Whether you’re young or old, colouring in is always fun, even if you can’t stay inside the lines very well! And if you’re looking for a way to calm any feelings of stress or anxiety you may be experiencing at the moment because of the pesky pandemic, you might be surprised at how effective a little bit of colouring in can be at soothing your mind and your soul.
Have a read of this study, published back in 2005 in the Journal of the American Art Therapy Association, revealing that colouring a mandala for 20 minutes is actually more effective than free-form colouring for the same amount of time at reducing anxiety.
If you’re ill at the moment, whether that’s with COVID-19 or something else, you could also find colouring yields all sorts of benefits.
Another piece of research, this one carried out by a team from Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia in the US, found that women with cancer demonstrated a significant drop in symptoms of distress and significant improvements in other key aspects of quality of life related to health.
You might have already heard of the concept of mindfulness, which is based on the idea of anchoring yourself in the present moment to quieten your mind and calm any intrusive anxious thoughts you may be having.
Well, colouring in can really help you in this regard as you’ll find yourself focusing so hard on what you’re doing that your worries fade into the background for a while, leaving you feeling more refreshed once you’ve finished.
It’s also a great way of bonding with your children, as they’re sure to love a bit of drawing and colouring in. So if you’re looking for something to help keep them entertained and quiet while you get a few moments to yourself, some colouring in could be the perfect way to achieve this.
It’s important to remember at this difficult time that you’re certainly not alone, even if you are social distancing and in self-isolation. We’re all in the same boat and we’re all experiencing the same feelings of stress and anxiety.
If you’re really worried about your mental health and wellbeing at the moment, it might be worth checking out the Anxiety UK website to see what other coping mechanisms the organisation has to help you and your family.
Tips include breathing techniques, getting some exercise (whether that’s going for a walk or a run, or a home workout), and limiting your exposure to the news. This latter suggestion is particularly important, as you don’t need to overexpose yourself to what’s going on.
Checking in on the news is wise, but don’t spend hours at a time online, as this will certainly not help ease any anxiety you may be feeling right now.
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