We’ve all been to the point of wanting to rip out our hair one piece at a time, and sometimes screaming into a pillow just does not cut it.
In the non-existent amount of free time I have, I decided it was crucial find a new way to de-stress my mind and relax. Traditionally, I resort to yoga or swinging in my Eno in calming places to relieve my stress, but sometimes I just don’t even want to leave the apartment. A trendy friend of mine (shoutout Han) suggested that I delve into the world of adult coloring books. At first thought, I imagined a book full of phallic, mature-content images… thankfully, I was way wrong.
Since the age of sippy cups and naptime, coloring has always been my favorite hobby. It’s the best way to waste time with a satisfying, colorful result. While coloring, our mind is able to focus purely on the art instead of whatever pesky worries may be lingering around. Psychologists have said that the relaxation that coloring provides “lowers the activity of the amygdala, a basic part of our brain involved in controlling emotion that is affected by stress.” Coloring is also a calming method that has been “prescribed” by therapists for over 100 years.
I was able to discuss creativity with Innovation Academy professor Dr. Porter-Roberts. She often initiates creative play in her students by utilizing childhood favorites such as Crayola products and Play-Doh.
When she surprises her students with imagination-stimulating activities, she notices a difference in the atmosphere immediately. When the boxes of new crayons come out, a sense of excitement and childhood anticipation fills the room.
“Some just dump the box out; some strategically take the crayons out of the box only when needed. But all of them, as they color, draw, and create, begin to share happy stories from their childhood that they have been reminded of because of the connection to the crayons,” said Dr. Porter-Robinson.
From relaxing the students to opening them up for class discussions, the crayons are a powerful tool that can transcend the classroom. When our busy adult lives take over, we can use them to reengage our playful and creative side. Even if it’s just a few times a week, out-of-the-box activities can keep the creative juices flowing and the stress at bay.
Taking time to color can be looked at as a health habit much like your daily gym visits. Studies have found that making art could delay or even negate age-related decline of certain brain functions.
Via: Unsplash
So, if you’re feeling stressed and overwhelmed, take 30 minutes out of your day (an hour if you’re feeling extra “mehhh”) and let your mind focus on another, more colorful, world. Unplug from the digital world and pick up a pencil. Coloring is an affordable, easy way to indulge in “me time” while recharging the creative side that you might have lost touch with.
Bust out those crayons and color yourself calm.
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