"According to clinical psychologist Ben Michaelis, coloring is a stress-free activity that relaxes the amygdala — the fear center of the brain — and allows your mind to get the rest it needs." ~Kristian Wilson
For years, my husband Ron taught alternative education in a continuation high school. Many of these kids lived more traumatic, chaotic, and unstable lives than most of us can imagine. On days when they seemed particularly agitated, he would pull out the art supplies and coloring books and let them color for awhile.
It was the quietest and calmest they ever were. Doodling and coloring created an oasis for their minds and bodies. And then they could focus on the work at hand. They could respond to the challenges of the moment with greater calm, empathy, and creativity
It was the quietest and calmest they ever were. Doodling and coloring created an oasis for their minds and bodies. And then they could focus on the work at hand. They could respond to the challenges of the moment with greater calm, empathy, and creativity
I hope and trust that your life has more stability than my husband's students, dear friend.
Nevertheless, in a life that demands 110% of your energy and attention, I have a hunch that you, too, need an oasis to calm your mind. To come home to your center. To open to your wiser, more creative self.
Nevertheless, in a life that demands 110% of your energy and attention, I have a hunch that you, too, need an oasis to calm your mind. To come home to your center. To open to your wiser, more creative self.
Ready to reduce stress? Grab your crayons
Psychologists are finding that coloring is an effective way to reduce stress.
Coloring is an activity that engages different hemispheres of the brain, and relaxes the amygdala - the part of the brain that regulates emotions affected by fear and stress. And it helps move us into a freer and more creative state.
That's why therapists have been prescribing it to their clients since the days of Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung. Read more about the many benefits of coloring here.
When my mind is agitated and I can't see my next step, or my monkey mind is too busy swinging from vine to vine to meditate, I reach for my markers and colored pencils. And it calms me right down. And it opens up my creative wisdom.
Sometimes I write a meditative phrase, and I doodle and color around it:
Coloring is an activity that engages different hemispheres of the brain, and relaxes the amygdala - the part of the brain that regulates emotions affected by fear and stress. And it helps move us into a freer and more creative state.
That's why therapists have been prescribing it to their clients since the days of Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung. Read more about the many benefits of coloring here.
When my mind is agitated and I can't see my next step, or my monkey mind is too busy swinging from vine to vine to meditate, I reach for my markers and colored pencils. And it calms me right down. And it opens up my creative wisdom.
Sometimes I write a meditative phrase, and I doodle and color around it:
And sometimes, I just draw a doodle line and color it:
I even do tiny 2-inch doodles in the notes section of my planner, just to kick off my day with creative calm.
Try This: Take a 5-minute coloring break
1. Give yourself 5 minutes and just color. No need for perfection. No great expectations. Just follow your instincts for what color to choose next. No judging allowed!
 | You can draw your own doodle line--just place your pen on the page and let it go into curves and loops without ever lifting it from the page. Then grab your crayons or colored pencils (office highlighters will work in a pinch!) and color away. Or, if you want to just start coloring right away, here's a simple one to get you started. Just click on the "Doodle Oasis" file below and print it out. |
| doodleoasis.pdf |
2. Notice the physical sensations you feel as you color. What does your head feel like? What does your chest feel like? This is what calming your brain feels like.
3. Notice if anything has shifted--your energy, your mood, your perspective. Does anything look different? Welcome any ideas that come up. But if not, don't worry. Just giving yourself 5 minutes of stress-reducing calm has just done your mind and body a world of good.
3. Notice if anything has shifted--your energy, your mood, your perspective. Does anything look different? Welcome any ideas that come up. But if not, don't worry. Just giving yourself 5 minutes of stress-reducing calm has just done your mind and body a world of good.
Ready for more? There are some great coloring books for adults out there. Walk into any bookstore or art supply, and you're likely to see a few. And a quick search online will bring up a plethora of options for stress-relieving designs.
Do you have a favorite coloring book? Let us know in the comments below!
Do you have a favorite coloring book? Let us know in the comments below!
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