Coloring...it's not just for kids anymore

Color your world, and a good majority of people in the world will be coloring too, Monday, September 14, on National Coloring Day. Not to be confused with National Coloring Book Day which is August 2, or National Color Day, October 22. There’s even a National Crayola Crayon Day on March 31, but today, Sept 14, we celebrate the art of coloring.

What has become one of the nation’s favorite pastimes, the day is for both young and old to get out the crayons and color.

Adult coloring books are the current best seller on Amazon.com. Animal Kingdom by Welsh artist, Millie Marotta, has sold over a million copies worldwide. The popularity of coloring is growing as more benefits are cited for this creative activity.

Stress-reliever - Getting absorbed in coloring intricate patterns provides a distraction from daily stressors, most of all...the dependency on handheld devices. Putting down the smart phones and the iPads can relieve the tension of the constant demand for your attention.

Anti-depressant - Coloring and other artistic endeavors are often employed to diminish depression. Art therapists like Sandra "Sondrace" Little with the Conroe Art League, often assist the medical professionals in the treatment of psychological disorders like depression. The use of certain colors like blue, gray, and black...the lack of vivid colors, can be an indicator of depression.

Colors are certainly mood enhances, according to Montgomery County business owner, Trish Busemi of Colors Matter. Warm and bright colors like red, orange, and yellow, are energy colors. Cool colors like blue, green, and purple, have a calming effect to help you chill out when stressed; likewise. pastels are soothing effect.

Meditative - Coloring can be so absorbing that some liken it to meditation as they zone out while coloring hypnotic patterns in a wide array of colors.

Nostalgic - Partaking in an activity that invokes nostalgia, can be very therapeutic too, and a mood enhancer.

Manual dexterity - Coloring is especially beneficial for arthritis sufferers, providing them with light manual exercise of the hands to prevent stiffness.

Social interaction - Making coloring a group activity can be quality time for the family, allowing for conversation, and eliminating the distraction of electronics like the television and game boxes.

Creativity enhancer - Coloring actually engages both sides of the brain according to best selling author, psychologist and Associate Professor at Harvard Medical School, Alice D. Domar, Ph. D. She maintains that coloring stimulates areas of the brain related to motor skills, senses, and creativity.

Problem solving - Shifting to the right side of the brain, the creative side, can open up the mind to solving complex issues. Something as simple as coloring, can aid in, by allowing the brain to get the creative juices flowing. An engineer who resides in The Woodlands (who preferred that his name not be mentioned), retires to his hobby room where he assembles colorful Lego kits, maintaining that it helps him solve technical problems at work.

Conversely, spending too much time coloring can have negative ramifications.

Time-consuming - Extended periods of time spent coloring can detract from attending to important issues.

Detachment - Although a great escape activity, too much time spent coloring in isolation can have a detrimental effect on relationships.

Lack of mobility - Coloring could very well be one of the least aerobic things you can do, keeping your body from getting much-needed exercise. Consider postponing your coloring and do it during your cool-down period after you’ve exercised.

Like anything we enjoy, it’s best done in moderation. Consider coloring on a designated day of the week for a family night, or make it the rainy day activity. Some other popular coloring books are (in alphabetical order):

Animal Kingdom by Millie Marotta $15
Color ME Coloring Book by Mary Engelbreit $11
Color Me Happy by Lucy Mucklow & Angela Porter $17
Creative Cats by Dover Publications $5
Manga also by Dover Publications $5
Posh Adult Coloring Book: Soothing Designs for Fun & Relaxation by Andrews McMeel $13
Secret Garden by Johanna Basford $16
Square Mandalas by Alberta Hutchinson $6
Stress Less Coloring: Paisley Patterns by Adams Media $15
The Art of Nature also by Adams Media $13
(Prices may vary. Those shown are average prices.)

Coloring books can be obtained online or at local book stores, or for the over-active imagination, draw and color your own designs. Celebrate the day by taking a little time for yourself, relax your mind, and express your creativity.

#ColorYourWorld