GROW UP AND COLOUR
Reduce stress with adult colouring books
All through high school and college, I often pulled out my box of Crayolas and a kiddie colouring book to help manage stress. In the midst of looming deadlines and late-night cramming for exams, there was something innately comforting in spending an hour doing one of my favourite childhood activities.
Fast-forward to 2015, and book stores, big-box chains, even airport gift shops are selling colouring books specifically for adults as a way to de-stress, relax and calm your mind and body. Gone are the goofy cartoon characters — replaced with busy, intricate designs and inspiring titles such as Color Me Happy, Color Me Calm and Color Me Stress Free.
If the popularity of Scottish illustrator Johanna Basford’s first book, Secret Garden: An Inky Treasure Hunt and Colouring Book, published in March 2013, is any indication, art therapy books for grownups are quickly catching on. With sales of more than 1.4 million copies worldwide, Basford’s fanciful book of black-and-white designs is one of Amazon’s bestsellers.
“Colouring books (for adults) are absolutely flying off the shelves ... (they’re) one of the most indemand items at our store,” says Bahram Olfati, vice-president of print for Indigo Books & Music.
“Whether our customers are looking to be inspired by European cityscapes or enchanted forests, our stores are stocked with colouring books to suit every personality. Many of our customers appreciate colouring books as a new creative outlet, while others set aside time for colouring as a way to de-stress after a long day.”
According to the Mandala Coloring Meditation website, the healing powers of colouring are many, ranging from enhancing meditation to encouraging selfexpression. The website offers free downloads of colouring pages featuring different mandala designs. A mandala is a geometric matrix with a “sacred” centre from which there are “infinite possibilities and unlimited potential.”
Belgium artist Steven Vrancken explains: “Within its circular shape, the mandala has the power to promote relaxation, balance the body’s energies, enhance your creativity, and support healing. The great news is you can achieve all of these benefits while having fun. And, it’s an activity you can fully participate in whether you’re four or 94,” he says.
Ottawa therapist Gill Reilly, who teaches mindfulness relaxation techniques and guided imagery to help relieve stress and anxiety, says anything that can get you to sit quietly, forget about your worries for a while and focus on the moment is an effective tool. Though she only recently heard about the adult colouring craze, she says, “It’s the right idea for calming yourself.”
Priced from about $10 to $25, adult colouring books make great gifts for students, teachers and parents.