Coloring for adults to relieve stress and other great health benefits

Have you been noticing the explosion in popularity of adult coloring books? They are everywhere, with some even popping up on bestseller lists.

I started coloring during the pandemic as a way to calm my nerves and as a fun activity to do virtually with friends.

While being a fun and relaxing activity, coloring has also been shown to offer a number of health benefits:
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1. Reduces stress and anxiety
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Coloring has the ability to relax the fear center of your brain, the amygdala. It induces a similar state to meditating, by reducing the chatter inside your restless mind. This allows your mind to get some rest after a long day at work.
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2. Improves motor skills and vision
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Coloring goes beyond being a fun activity for relaxation. It requires the two hemispheres of the brain to communicate. While logic helps us stay inside the lines, choosing colors generates a creative thought process.
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3. Improves sleep
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We know we get a better night’s sleep when we avoid looking at electronic devices before we go to bed, because exposure to the emitted light reduces our levels of the sleep hormone, melatonin. Coloring is a relaxing and electronic device-free bedtime ritual that won’t disturb your level of melatonin.
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4. Improves focus
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Coloring requires you to focus, but not so much that it’s stressful. It opens up your frontal lobe, which controls organizing and problem solving. It allows you to put everything else aside and live in the moment, generating focus.
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With these countless health benefits, it might be time to pull out the colored pencils. There is a wide selection of themed coloring books available. Whether you're a big fan of Doctor Who, Harry Potter, fashion, flowers, animals, mandalas, or even swear words, I guarantee there is an adult coloring book for you.
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Be sure to send me photos of your creations!
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Be well,
Christine

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