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Adult Coloring Books: A Pattern of Relaxation

Have you relaxed with a good coloring book lately? Believe it or not, coloring is a growing trend in meditation. In contrast to the books you knew as kid, today’s adult coloring books don’t feature simple outlines of cartoonish animals or airplanes. These books are all grown up – with intricate designs echoing the ornate beauty of historical architecture and art around our world. Pondering and coloring complex patterns requires a calm concentration, which is helping many adults reduce feelings of anxiety.

Improve your mood through coloring.

Why would coloring these pattern-filled pages help us relax? One explanation may be that our brains release endorphins (those feel-good hormones) when we add colors to complex patterns.

There is an entirely new emerging field-of-science called neuroesthetics, which is related to the effects of art, color, and geometric shapes on the human brain. Patterns may help us temporarily disconnect from our anxiety and stress by focusing our attention on the details of the task. This is likely due to an increase in cortisol and adrenaline when we are sad or stressed, which heightens our awareness. Our heightened senses allow us to appreciate more complex figures and tasks, such as coloring geometric patterns in adult coloring books.

Interestingly, research shows that there is a stronger alerting effect in a negative mood than with a positive mood. If you are in an anxious or sad mood, you are more likely to process things in detail than to look at a global picture. This is likely why working on a coloring book with complex geometrical shapes and colors may allow you to improve your mood by focusing your adrenaline release from the stress on the task at hand.

Additional studies on the effectiveness of different types of art activities concluded that coloring a mandala, a design with repeating patterns and complexity, induced a calm and meditative state allowing anxiety levels to decline in adults.

Travel makes the world your coloring book.

Geometrical figures have been used throughout the centuries in classic works of art, including sculptures, paintings, cathedrals, and mosques. In fact, some of the most beautiful geometric patterns can be seen adorning the mosques and palaces throughout Europe and the Middle East. A great example of this is the palace of Alhambra in Granada, Andalucia, Spain. There are beautifully color-tiled panels that adorn the walls of the courtyards and halls as well as intricate carvings that adorn the arches. These patterns are soothing and pleasing to the eyes. Being mesmerized by the artistry, we can only imagine walking into one of these beautiful rooms while the sultan held court.

So the next time you travel in Europe, the Middle East, or anywhere in the world, keep an eye out for the complex patterns in art and architecture. Pause, breath in, and let your eyes slowly trace the lines of each design. By seeing the world as your coloring book, you can enjoy tranquility and serenity. Much like meditative coloring and delighting in nutritious food, travel can serve as medicine for our soul.