If you've been in any store lately, it's likely that you've seen coloring books, marketed toward adults, taking over. So why the sudden push to return to this beloved childhood activity? While businesses may be looking to profit from a fad, you may end up profiting too, with less health care costs and a brighter outlook on life. Let's count the benefits you can take advantage of by picking up a crayon:
1. Reduced Stress Levels & Improved Health
Repetitive, predictable activities, like coloring or knitting, have been shown to lower activity in the amygdala, the part of the brain that's in charge of the fear/stress response. Benefits to the body include reduced muscle tension, heart rate, breathing rate, blood pressure and levels of cortisol, the stress-related hormone, in the bloodstream. And as a side benefit, when the body stops dumping cortisol into the blood stream, it becomes easier to lose weight.2. Improved Focus & Creativity
Coloring is considered a centering activity, that helps to practice mindfulness--being fully present where you are. And the art of choosing and combining colors spurs creativity. In fact, many high-powered work places are now encouraging coloring in their employees, as a way of helping them to focus on a creative project and develop new ideas.3. Improved Fine Motor Skills
When you color a complex design, staying inside the small spaces, you hone your fine motor skills. By continuing to practice these skills, you can slow the aging process and maintain more independence as you age. Activities of daily living that require fine motor skills are tying shoes, buttoning, picking up small objects, etc.4. Social Interaction Opportunities
There's something to wine and canvas events that have gained traction in recent years, in that art can create a great environment for social interaction. Because of the mindfulness it creates, and because it doesn't require much concentration, coloring with someone opens up doors for great quality time. I have begun coloring with my three year old daughter, and during that time of crayon to paper, she is much more responsive to conversation and questions from me. When we are sitting together face-to-face or watching TV, my questions can seem to annoy her, or overwhelm her, but there's something about her focus on the task of filling a page with color that makes her much more receptive.If you'd like to try coloring, I've pinned some free coloring pages on our Pinterest page. Be sure to check them out!
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