Written By: Swapna C | Updated : November 10, 2017 3:16 PM IST
Don t be mislead by the term adult. There is nothing pornographic there! These are just books with intricate patterns for adults to colour. You can choose a wide range of subjects from nature to abstracts to Harry Potter and just get started! But why? Why would anyone pick an adult colouring book? Most people still think of it as a childhood activity. But, research shows that these books help relieve stress and put you in a meditative state. Here s more on why adult colouring books are superb stress busters.
I have also read about how some patterns like the mandala books have healing benefits or how colouring helps you become more creative and spiritual. A simple Google search reveals the many therapeutic benefits of adult colouring books.
I have been colouring for more than a year now and can definitely say that it is a great calming tool even if I wouldn t go so far as to call it art therapy or even a healing activity. I have not felt a great leap spiritually either, but I have definitely experienced a few changes which I can attribute to colouring books almost every day, even if it is just for 10 minutes. Here are some reasons why you should start painting adult colouring books.
When you just start colouring you get annoyed if you don t colour within the lines or put a wrong colour in a pattern. But, as time passes and over many designs, you learn to go with the flow and stop being too hard on yourself. There is always another pattern and it is not worth fretting over what went wrong. Also, since these patterns are intricate, they take a long time to complete. What with office, home and kids, you can t exactly finish a page at one go! Over time you learn to wait and move on with grace. I dare you to spot the error in this turtle pic!
It takes all your focus to fill in the little grooves, there is no scope for intrusive or sad thoughts. So it isn t like other quiet hobbies where you introspect. It is a pure and all-absorbing activity and you learn to carve time and space to it regardless of everything else that is going on. So it s like a mini-break without having to go on a holiday. It s all about your imagination; go on a flight of fancy with multi-coloured horses or monochrome landscapes. Over time your friends and family will let you be when they see you colouring in your quiet spot! 
It is very difficult to sit for half an hour or so at a stretch without any interruptions. You learn to treasure time and realise why time is the most precious resource you have. So instead of waiting for a time or day to do something, you start being in the moment. Instead of being annoyed at a dawdling child while rushing in the morning, you take a breather and laugh at her nodding off while sitting on the pot. I grab any chance to laugh, to get one more hug, to eat something yummy and mom-made, to not be overwhelmed by things that hold me back from doing exactly that.
Your mind is still and doesn t wander as you colour. So you feel ok ignoring the beeps for incoming messages. You will learn the importance of saying No and prioritise what to do with your time. I learned that it was ok to tell people I will call back or respond later or push off some chores till I was done with one part of a pattern. For the first time, since I owned a mobile, I was able to take a vacation at a no signal, no wi-fi kinda forest and I made it through the week!
The process of colouring is also great fun as you look for materials that work for you. I like the smooth gliding Camlin Brush pens. The joy of completing a pattern is an instant high. Once you figure out that you can have fun every day despite the commute to work or the struggle at work or at home, you crave more. Growing up in the 70s and 80s meant having parents who asked, Why do you need to watch a movie? Or in other words, "What do you need fun for? This is your time to study/work/fill in the blank!" Now if I can t make it to a theatre, I Netflix and popcorn at home! But, I try to have fun as often as I can! Hope you will too!
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