Coloring is Therapy
Coloring Shopkins in a book can help you destress.
Okay, not literally. It doesn't have to be Shopkins, though the thought of it is nostalgic to me. It can also be an adult coloring book that includes nature, animals, or random daily-life objects.
I hadn't realized it before, but coloring is therapeutic for everyone of all age groups.
Personally, I loved coloring books that had Shopkins (duh), Hello-Kitty, and My Little Pony. Nowadays, as a teenager, my typical coloring books are cats, The Pumpkin Spice Cafe (which is a specific coloring book inspired by the romance book by Laurie Gilmore), and flowers.
Here are 6 reasons why coloring is therapy:
#1: Coloring relaxes the brain
Coloring calms the amygdala, which is the part of our brain that triggers fear and stress response. It also uplifts other parts of the brain that relate to creativity and logic. (Brown, 2018).
So when we color, it actually improves both the left and right sides of the brain, as logic lies on the left while creativity lies on the right, which benefits the brain overall.
I'm not a psychologist, but I do know that coloring relieves my stress and sets off my creativity by carefully picking colors to choose from. That's just an easier way of describing what was said earlier.
#2: Coloring reduces anxiety
The process works in which the focus you put on coloring helps prevent negative and undesired thoughts from entering your mind and replaces those thoughts with positive and pleasant ones. (Brown, 2018).
Being a teenager is both a blessing and a curse. Sometimes, I get horrific thoughts. Other times, I get happy thoughts. But when I color, it's the latter. Exposure to bright, vibrant colors and the smell of coloring pages is enough to attract such thoughts.
When I am present with coloring supplies (coloring pencils, crayons, markers, whatever it is that you use to color) and coloring pages, it doesn't take much for me to get distracted (in a good way).
#3: Coloring can improve sleep
Since coloring relieves stress and fosters a sense of relaxation, it would reinforce our quality of sleep. Coloring won't expose you to blue light, which is the type of light that you are exposed to when using your phone or any electronic device right before bed. Blue light can interfere with melanin production, a hormone that's responsible for sleep. (Santos-Longhurst, 2022).
Coloring is a great source of relaxation. It's my alternative version to meditation, and it's engraved in my nighttime routine.
#4: Coloring helps with movement skills
And no, it's not in the way that's shown in the picture above.
Instead, coloring can be an effective way to cope with the process of natural aging. Focusing on keeping your hand steady may help with shaking or tremors. As a result, motor tasks like holding a cup of coffee or brushing your teeth become much more manageable. (Santos-Longhurst, 2022).
I hope that as a future adult, it will apply to me.
#5: Coloring provides nostalgia and comfort
"Coloring provides many health benefits for the body and the mind...Coloring also elicits a nostalgic feeling and reminds adults of the joys of their carefree childhood." (It's Not Just for Kids! 5 Ways Coloring Promotes Wellness in Adults, 2017).
As we grow older, we can get so dreaded with maturity and responsibilities that we tend to forget the joy of play. Coloring brings back our inner child and gives us an opportunity to simply have fun again.
I can already feel my inner child slowly slipping away as I get ready for senior year and college application season. Coloring is here to save the day.
#6: Coloring boosts attention and concentration
"A short coloring break allows [us] to regain focus...resulting in the ability to tackle [work tasks] in a successful, innovative manner." (It's Not Just for Kids! 5 Ways Coloring Promotes Wellness in Adults, 2017).
Personally, I get overwhelmed with work tasks from school. It's not just the homework, it's also having to take efficient notes and do classwork in a timely manner.
If you feel the same way, try coloring. It might just be what you need.
Sources:
Brown, Kristin. "Five reasons why coloring is good for you." AllinaHealth, 15 September 2018, https://www.allinahealth.org/healthysetgo/thrive/five-reasons-why-coloring-is-good-for-you.
Santos-Longhurst, Adrienne. "Can Coloring Really Help You Relax? 9 Reasons To Try Adult Coloring." Healthline, 23 May 2022, https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/benefits-of-adult-coloring.
"It's Not Just for Kids! 5 Ways Coloring Promotes Wellness in Adults." Clay Behavioral Health Center, n.d., Accessed 31 July 2025.
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