If you search for adult coloring books, you will find thousands of websites offering products in all shapes and sizes. But, why are coloring books for grown-ups so popular? Isn’t the very idea of coloring a bit, well… childish? Absolutely not!

Why Are Adult Coloring Books So Popular?

Coloring may be fun, but, a growing body of research is showing that coloring is actually great for your brain, no matter what your age. It may also help to reduce stress, which is something that is important to all of the women in our community.

I have to be honest that I’m a bit biased here. If you look under the table in my living room, you will see a huge stack of filled-up coloring books. There is something about the process of bringing a picture to life with vibrant colors that I find so relaxing.

When I rediscovered coloring books in my 60s, I thought that I was a bit strange. Then I talked to healthy living expert, Lynda Goldman and I discovered that my coloring book obsession is far from odd.

In fact, more and more older adults are turning to this activity as a form of moving meditation. I was amazed to find out that 5 of the top 10 non-fiction books on Amazon.com are adult coloring books. Amazing!

I hope that you enjoy my interview with Lynda Goldman. Please take a look. Then, join the conversation at the end of this article. Our community is stronger when you participate.

Why Adult Coloring Books Are Amazing, According to Science

I have talked many times about the power of meditation for older adults. Well, it turns out that coloring can produce many similar effects. According to scientists, drawing relaxes the amygdala (the fear center of your brain) and allows your mind to relax. It also stimulates brain areas related to motor skills and creativity.

Lynda Goldman has an artistic background, so coloring came naturally to her. It was a natural extension of her biggest passion. She agrees with scientists who say that coloring is a powerful way to activate parts of your brain that you do not usually use. As she points out, it is also a positive alternative to many negative behaviors that people use to relieve stress.

Coloring Books Can Help You to Relieve Stress

Coloring is an excellent way to relieve stress and deal with the anxieties of everyday life. We live in a crazy world, filled with constant distractions. We are constantly bombarded by external stimulation – blinking lights, chat windows, phone calls and advertisements.

Why not take a step back and immerse yourself in a simple world, filled with colors of your choosing. Just turn off the TV, put your phone on mute and give yourself permission to relax.

Every time I sit down with a coloring book, I find my mind wavering between my past, present and future. When this happens, I bring my mind back to the colors and lines in front of me. The entire process helps me to be in the moment – even if this particular moment only lasts 30 minutes. I’m sure that it will do the same for you.

Reconnect with Your Inner Child

I said that coloring books are not just for kids – and this is true. At the same time, there is nothing wrong with reconnecting with your inner child once in a while. Why not pick coloring books that remind you of your childhood, in addition to the more serious coloring books for adults?

Children are wonderfully narcissistic. They only care about their pleasure. In every other aspect of our lives, we have to consider the people around us. Why not make your coloring time an exercise in self-indulgence?

You have no-one to please. It’s just you, your coloring book and your inner 6-year-old. Let them play together for as long as they want!

Adult Coloring Books Are an Alternative to Screens

By now, we all know that staring at our mobile or computer screens right before bed is a recipe for insomnia. Coloring books offer grown-ups an alternative activity to practice right before bed. Instead of staring directly at a bright light, you can look at much gentler paper. In this way, coloring books can help you to sleep better at night and feel better during the day.

I hope that you enjoy my conversation with Lynda about the power and beauty of adult coloring books. I’d love to hear what you think about this topic.

Have you discovered the magic of adult coloring books? What benefits have they brought to your life? Please join the conversation.