A Color Blast for our Brain – Mindful Coloring

“Color is a power which directly influences the soul” – Wassily Kandinsky.

Many of you may have heard about paint nights and had a blast coloring away the time with a glass of wine, coffee, tea, or just plain water. The good news is you don’t need to be an artist to enjoy mindful coloring. It’s an excellent form of mindfulness that’s accessible to everyone!

Mindful coloring offers numerous health benefits, particularly for stress and anxiety reduction. It’s not just about coloring; it’s a therapeutic activity that focuses on the present moment. This is particularly good for people who can’t seem to calm their minds or reduce the clutter in their brains. The relaxation occurs in the repetitive activity and the focus on engaging the mind and body, providing a comforting and calming experience.

You might say, “I’m not an artist,” but know that in situational meditation, “That’s okay!” Coloring is a blast in our brains that allows us to find moments of calm in our daily lives, even in the midst of chaos.

Coloring, even if you aren’t a formal artist, can be a relaxing and rewarding activity. According to Eric Merrell, it’s a great way to de-stress, explore your creativity, and discover the joy of color. So, don’t be afraid to pick up those crayons and let your creativity flow.

This practice can also improve focus, enhance motor skills, stimulate both brain hemispheres, promote cognitive function, and has been linked to blood pressure reduction. It’s a way of connecting with others on things that bring you together, not tearing you apart.  So, the next time you are invited to draw or see a coloring book, pick it up and take the time. It’s your situation; a form of self-expression that empowers and liberates. Meditate on it!

~Dr. E

---

Free Coloring Sites & Books for more Coloring Ideas:

• Crayola: Crayola offers a large selection of free printable coloring pages for various age groups. 
• Twinki Parents Educational Site for parents, children and educators.
• Coloring-Book.info: This site provides a wide range of free printable coloring pages, including popular characters and themes. 
• Supercoloring: Supercoloring offers a vast library of free printable coloring pages, including those for adults. 
• ColoringPagesForAllKids: This site offers a range of free printable coloring pages, and is designed to be easily accessible, (See Reddit Thread).
• ColorIt: ColorIt specializes in premium quality adult coloring books with hand-drawn artwork.