Do you long to pick up some crayons or pencil crayons and start colouring, but stop yourself because you think it's too childish or that it's a time-waster? Well, here are a few reasons why you may wish to rummage through your desk and pull out those neglected crayons in hues that instantly transport you back in time:
- You develop mindfulness. The accent is placed on simple tasks that require repetitive motion, which, according to Mark Robert Waldman, helps focus the brain on the present.
- Gives you an opportunity to play which Stuart Brown MD compares to oxygen: "It's all around us, yet goes mostly unnoticed or unappreciated until it's missing."
- Opens the channels of communication when you color with your child. A friend of mine told me that she learns a lot about her daughter when they spend time colouring together.
- May remind you of your childhood and simpler times.
- Doesn't require a lot of time or money.
- According to psychologist Gloria Martínez Ayala, colouring activates different areas of the cerebral hemispheres: "The action involves both logic, by which we color forms, and creativity, when mixing and matching colors. This incorporates the areas of the cerebral cortex involved in vision and fine motor skills [coordination necessary to make small, precise movements]. The relaxation that it provides lowers the activity of the amygdala, a basic part of our brain involved in controlling emotion that is affected by stress."
About the giveaway:
The winner will choose one from the following titles from Skyhorse Publishing:
- Paisleys - Coloring for Everyone
- Paisleys - Coloring for Artists
- Mandalas - Coloring for Everyone
- Mandalas - Coloring for Artists
"Since 2013, coloring books targeted to adults have topped bestselling charts, selling more than 1.4 million copies in over twenty-two languages. Skyhorse’s four books, the only adult coloring books on the market with perforations, will allow budding artists to gift or display their beautiful creations! With a tremendous capacity to combat stress, it’s no surprise that adult coloring books have become the biggest trend!
This four-book series features vibrant illustrations and detailed introductions highlighting the history of both the paisley and mandala motifs. Eleven pages of full-color designs illustrate, for the beginner or advanced artist, the design and coloring typical of these ancient patterns. Easy-to-follow steps reveal how artists can draw mandalas and paisleys freehand or via their computer." - Skyhorse Publishing
How to enter the giveaway:
- To enter the giveaway, leave a short comment on this post about why you like colouring.
- Entries must be received by midnight PST on Friday, June 12th, 2015.
- This contest is open to anyone of legal age who has a mailing address in Canada or the US.
- For extra entries to the draw, get social:
- On Twitter? Share the following: I just entered a #giveaway from @AuntieStress for an adult #coloringbook, thx to @skyhorsepub: http://wp.me/p2PenP-1sV #coloringbook
- Make your way over to my Pinterest Board called "Giveaways." Earn one entry by clicking “Comment” then leave one. Earn another entry by re-pinning this giveaway announcement.
- On Google+? Be sure to +MariannaPaulson when you share the link and you’ll earn another entry.
- There is a separate draw for my newsletter subscribers. Get on the list here.
Two winning entrants will be drawn from a hat: one from my blog entrants and another one from my newsletter subscriber list.
You will be notified via email. Your name will appear here, as well as on Twitter, Pinterest and Google+.
Good luck!
OOOOH! This is SO me! I was recently in an area of a grocery store that sold books, found a lovely colouring book, admired it, and then thought; this is kinda silly, when would I have time for this?! How can i justify time to colour?! I’m a grown-up with real things to do 😉 But I REALLY loved that book. I put it back on the shelf feeling silly for not being true to myself but also justified in my practicality and keeping to a budget which is based on essentials only these days. I’ve always loved to colour. It’s soothing and mindful and creative. Need a book like this to come my way! LOVE this, M!
Congrats, Jen, you have won the draw!
I have always enjoyed coloring, but now I do it with my grandchildren. We have a bucket of crayons and I create my own artwork–trees and flowers mostly. I’m
not good, but we have fun working alongside each other. Another benefit– I get to SIT DOWN!! LOL.
I love to colour and often find myself doodling and then colouring in the white spaces. What a nice relaxing activity!
It would be fun to take the time to colour again! One babysitter we had would colour one page in our colouring book and leave it finished for us to see in the morning.
I’m pretty sure I still have a coffee can full of pencil crayons and wax crayons here left over from when my friend’s children use to visit.
Marianna, for obvious reasons, I shall not participate but I have a problem that I wish to share with you. The colour of the recent posts, ie the printed matter is too light and makes it extremely difficult for me to read it. I have asked other family members and they too confirm that it is not my aging eyes, but the letters are too faint.
Is it the entire post, Ramana?
I agree! The type is a very faint light grey.
I am an artist, colouring is my passion. If I won, I would give a book to my wife and another to my friend Kelly. Colouring is such a stress releaser.
I adore coloring, even in the kids books still!
Tweet:
https://twitter.com/ArtsyChaos/status/607045708013641728
Yes, but it has not improved a lot. Thanks.
Great post on the value of coloring, Marianna
It’s so funny b/c I had a conversation about this with a friend a few months ago with whom I shared a couple of articles on the topic and/or pinterest links to some free printables sheets.
I have a couple of coloring books and periodically engage in coloring (although I use magic markers). My issue/difficulty with it has been to find good books that have designs that are not too detailed/small because while I want to get lost in the activity, I don’t want it to be too difficult. Once I have to spend too much time on being precise, it loses (for me) the soothing effect. I find coloring soothing and fun 🙂
To more color, mindfulness and fun!
I love coloring, I start coloring in my kids coloring books when we go out to eat. I think I love them more than they do. Thanks for the chance to win and for sharing with Small Victories Sunday linkup!
As an adult I’ve missed coloring opening a box of Crayons the bigger the better&bringing a picture to life,
Being an autism mom is stressful, bring on the coloring! I recently saw these coloring books and added to my wish list. Would love to color with my kiddos. Thanks for doing the giveaway!
Definitely something I could benefit from. I have trouble with Mindfulness and being in the moment. I noticed when I color with children I am literally IN the moment. It’s quite relaxing and I actually feel a break from ruminations, even positive ones. I really want to strengthen my ability to concentrate on one task and to appreciate the moment while completing that task. Such a fantastic idea to have one for adults. Not that it’s not fun to color in a bear riding a bicycle, but a more challenging and visually stimulating picture definitely an asset for adults!
I love teaching doodling as a form of mindfulness and stress management. As a social worker it is something almost every client can do and learn. As an artist, (& a SW) it is my own stress management too, and has led me to other media like watercolors and alcohol inks!
Every time I see “adult coloring book” I expect to see something NSFW! But I love coloring no matter if it’s an adult book or one for a child. It’s relaxing an a great way to dial down my anxiety!
I always wish that I could draw – so colouring in makes me feel that I possess some artistic skills.
I have always found being creative to be a meditative outlet for me. My favorite medium is painting, but it requires set up and clean up so I rarely make the effort. I’ve recently started coloring and find it to be a good replacement and is so easy to do for even five minutes.
Thanks to everyone for entering. I loved your comments and how you like to colour your world. 🙂
The winner is Jen.
Please watch this space for other book draws.