Why People Of Every Age Can Benefit From Colouring In

It seems you can’t step into a store these days without seeing a colouring book for sale. Be it the supermarket, a gift store, your local dollar shop or the newsagents, colouring books are everywhere! So is it just a fad, or is colouring in really all it’s cracked up to be?

According to clinical psychologist Ben Michaelis, colouring is a stress-free activity that relaxes the amygdala (the fear centre of the brain), allowing your mind the rest it requires. Consulting neuropsychologist and neuroscientist, Dr. Stan Rodski agrees, hence why he’s recently authored several colouring books for adults.

“Watching children and the way that they relax while colouring really prompted the thought, “why can’t adults re-enter that space in a brain state?””, Dr. Rodski said. At the time, he was struggling with executives, managers and others referred to him with stress, and he thought, “why not explore this?” What he’s found is his patients thoroughly enjoyed the process of colouring in, and colouring is a fantastic relaxation technique.

And thanks to technology, brainwaves and heart rhythms of colourists can be measured, and what it’s showing is through colouring in, amazing changes to the heart and brain can occur.

The science behind the positive effects of colouring in

One theory as to why colouring in can be so beneficial for the brain is it forces you to look at shape and size, watch for edges, and choose between colours. All these activities use the same area of the brain as anxiety, meaning anxiety-related mental imagery is paused whilst colouring in.

With this in mind, some experts recommend colouring in as a way to deal with a traumatic event.

Another theory is that colouring in a “mindfulness exercise”. Just like meditating, colouring in allows people to switch off and be “in-the-moment”, which could potentially alter the brain’s structure. Studies have consistently shown people who practice mindfulness meditation where they focus on the present moment, and avoid ruminating on the past or planning for the future, undergo powerful brain changes.

Specifically, being mindful has been shown to improve our brain’s ability to focus, help us with decision-making, and also assist with emotional regulation.

As for the heart, Dr. Joel Pearson, a brain scientist at the University of New South Wales, believes colouring in stops negative thoughts and images from occurring, and instead replaces them with positive images, which has a positive impact on heart rhythms.

What this means for kids

The research into the effects of colouring in for adults has only highlighted the importance of colouring in for children. Colouring in is something children have enjoyed for years, and this new research offers supports the notion colouring in books are important educational and emotional tools for kids development.

Colouring in:

Improves handwriting

Children need hand strength and dexterity to manipulate a pencil on a paper. Working on strength can eliminate the possibility of incorrect pencil grip.

Improves hand-eye coordination

Colouring in requires children to draw within the lines, helping to develop important hand-eye coordination skills. Choosing challenging and difficult drawing sheets will have the added benefit of fighting cognitive loss.

Increases focus

Focus is an important lesson taught from colouring in. It teaches the need for boundaries and concentration, and shows through staying focused, great things can be achieved.

Offers relaxation

Colouring in allows children to be in the present moment, and uses the same part of the brain where negative thoughts come from. For high-anxiety children, colouring in can be hugely beneficial in terms of “switching off”.

Encourages patience

Colouring in teaches children creating works of art takes time, and the feeling of accomplishment is not instantaneous, or free.

Increases awareness

Colouring in pages that use patterns, perspective and interesting shapes teaches children to recognise things they might ordinarily not see.

Builds confidence

For every colouring in sheet completed, children gain a sense of confidence in their own abilities.

Stimulates creativity

Colouring in offers children the opportunity to explore their creative side. The almost blank page in front of them allows them to run free with a box of crayons, and forces them to think creatively about colour combinations and patterns.

Encourages self-expression

Art is a fantastic way for children to express themselves. You can tell a lot about a person by the colours they choose, or the images they draw. Bright colours may express content and satisfaction, while blacks and greys may point to darker emotions.

Teaches colour recognition

Pencils, crayons and markers are a great way to introduce children to the colour spectrum, and using them regularly will aid in learning their names and different colour combinations. Children who learn about the colour wheel early have an easier time understanding the makeup and mixing of colours later on.

Prepares them for school

A child’s education takes a fair amount of structure, with lessons being issued via assignments, tests, and other written coursework. Colouring in sheets can be integral in preparing kids for the more structured work ahead of them.

Offers a bonding opportunity

Knowing the benefits of colouring in for adults, parents can sit down with their children and colour in at the same time. Children will love bonding with their parents over colouring sheets, and will be encouraged by your participation.

About the author