When I first began struggling very badly with anxiety, during the time I was suffering from PND, I hunted for anything that could calm my nerves a little, albeit temporarily. My usual favourite pastime – reading – was out of the question at the time, unless you include survivor blogs and PND charity websites, because I simply didn’t have the concentration for it. Inability to concentrate is a symptom of intense anxiety that isn’t really talked about that often.
Anyway, the one thing that did help was colouring my son’s colouring books. Despite hating colouring as a child, as an adult this became really therapeutic. Back then I didn’t even realise adult colouring was a “thing” and I don’t think it was compared to how it is now. You could only buy adult colouring books online at the time but now they are available everywhere and it’s exploded as a hobby.
And I totally get why. I don’t struggle with anxiety often now, and only very mildly, and yet I still find colouring makes me feel good. Here’s why I think everyone should try it:
It’s relaxing
I don’t know why exactly but it really helps to calm the mind. I think it’s the combination of focusing the mind, without the task being too taxing, and the repetitive nature of it. It’s enough to distract you from your thoughts and worries too which can be helpful sometimes. I guess it’s just a really good balance. Colouring has been proved to be such a stress-reliever which, let’s be honest, all parents need.
You can do it with your kids
If you have children who love to colour themselves then it’s easy to join them and that definitely counts as playing together in my book. Of course, you might want to reinforce the fact that your colouring book is only for grown-ups to use!
It’s creative
As well as repetitive tasks, the other common theme when it comes to anxiety-relievers is creativity. Crafting, drawing, painting, writing and playing music all seem to feature heavily when I talk about stress and anxiety remedies with people I know. And the truly great thing about colouring is you don’t have to have any artistic talent to enjoy it, which works well for me as I’m really not very arty.
It’s a cheap hobby
Adult colouring books were pretty pricey when they first came out but as they’ve grown in popularity shops like The Works have picked up on the craze and you can get plenty of books from there for under £5. Likewise, pencils and pens. I’m in the minority and prefer to colour with pen so I invested in this awesome pack of Sharpies from WH Smiths.
It makes you feel like a kid again
For a brief moment you can drift off and remember those carefree childhood afternoons of colouring your favourite characters, with not a single care in the world.
It’s satisfying
Some of the larger patterns can take quite a while to complete, which is where smaller books like this set of five I bought from The Book People is come in.
However, when you do complete a larger, more complex pattern it’s oddly satisfying! There isn’t always that much quantifiable reward when you are a parent to young kids so I’ll take any boost I can get.
Do you enjoy colouring? What other create outlets do you use to relieve stress and anxiety?
Hello I stumbled across your blog yesterday – I too find reading others stories of recovery extremely comforting. I also suffered from PND, reading your story last night I felt I could have written it. I have suffered from this from long before becoming a mummy but it was truly more terrifying when my little girl was so dependent on me and I couldn’t fight my way through it, thankfully I did but have hit a rocky patch as I approach birth of baby no 2 (however I know all will be okay eventually) Thank you for your posts, makes me feel better. Think I’m going to go make a start on my ‘mindful colouring’ book I bought about 6 months ago…!! Xx
I really enjoy colourin and have found it really relaxing to do when my son is sleeping! I am happy you found a way to relax. Enjoy colouring! Xx
I love colouring. It’s very relaxing I used to do lods while I was pregnant, not quite so much now with a 5 month old! xx
#picknmix
Rachel Bustin recently posted…Choc Affair – The Chocolate Review
I love colouring, and if i’m brave enough to admit, I really enjoy drawing and colouring in my daughters style me up fashion books. #thelist
I took my colouring book into hospital with me and it was admired by many medical staff. #TheList
Helena recently posted…Happy Days: In Hospital
My mummy finds colouring in really relaxing and a lovely, easy and cheap hobby to boost her mood and get her focused. #TheList
Baby Isabella recently posted…My new friend ‘Inky’ the Paddlepak
Same here! 😉
It is definitely relaxing. I actually bought some for friends as gifts too, with crayons and colouring pens too and they loved it.
Agent Spitback recently posted…Big Pink Link 19
A friend bought me a book when I was recovering from a hysterectomy. I agree that it was very relaxing, a good creative outlet and also satisfying! Not sure about costs as the book was a present but it is definitely a lot cheaper than some hobbies. I must go and get that book out again.
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Hi Laura, I would recommend adult colouring to everyone… I must admit though when my niece said she had an adult colouring book that I was a little concerned! I don’t colour for hours, but dip in and out of it. What I like is the way I can colour and listen to the radio or music, whilst focusing away from thoughts in the head.
#JustAnotherLinky
Exactly, I love that too. It’s distracting enough to calm your mind but not so much that you have to switch off to everything else. Thanks for reading x
I love colouring in … and its even better now that the rest of the world has caught on as i was getting bored of the kids ones lol.
Thanks for sharing
#AnythingGoes
Ha ha, same here! I was colouring in my son’s Monster’s Ink book before it became a thing lol Thanks for reading and commenting x
I love colouring too…I always loved it as a kid and that was reignited when Archie stated colouring – and then my Mum brought me an adult colouring book!! I’ve also rediscovered puzzles too.mi often end up finishing Archie’s puzzles and really enjoy it.
What’s weird is I hated colouring as a kid and now love it lol! Thanks for reading x
I do find colouring relaxing and find myself doodling on notes when I’m stressed. I have an adult colouring book but never seem to have the time to use it. Thanks for linking to #PicknMix
Mummy and Monkeys recently posted…Matching furniture can give your home the look you want
Yeah I don’t get to do it as often as I’d like I must admit. Thanks for reading x
Haven’t tried colouring books myself but best friend swears by them. I tend to doodle my own stuff and see how my son is much more relaxed after a spot of sketching. Colour rules OK! Jo 🙂
Jo Sandelson recently posted…Billions of Bloggers Blogging in Brewery
I really need to get into colouring. Sounds very relaxing and therapeutic. Thanks got linking up to #justanotherlinky xx
Something Crunchy Mummy recently posted…Me & Mine – June 2016
I entirely agree – it’s very relaxing. I think it’s nice to do something that you can control & make choices about, but which at the same time doesn’t require a lot of thought & provides a distraction. #anythinggoes
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