Simple stress relief by coloring books

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Erin Lemanski

When finished with the pages, one can decorte their room with them. “I like to fill my walls with the pages I finish. It really helps to add my own personal touch to my room,” junior Maddie Meissner says.

Growing up as an American child, coloring books were a huge part of our daily routine. Little did we know that this was just a way for our parents to keep us distracted for a good hour or two.

Now, coloring books are making a huge comeback. Crayola, as well as many other coloring brands, have been coming out with new adult coloring books. These books are like typical coloring books, but they are meant for adults. The pages are filled with complex images for adults to fill in with various colors.

The books provide stress relief for adults. By coloring, it helps adults with their creative mind set and gives their mind a break from the real world.

“These books help all ages to unwind for a few minutes, or a few hours. By coloring in the books I have seen a major difference in my mood,” junior Maddie Meissner said.

However, these coloring books are not just meant for adults. Teens can use them, and have seen the same results happen to them.

“I enjoy using the books. To me it’s like an escape from the real world. While coloring, I can make the page my own. It is a unique way of expressing yourself that is overlooked,” junior Ryan Bump said.

These books come in multiple themes for one’s coloring pleasure. They range from animal themed all the way to mandalas. Mandalas are a geometric figure representing the universe in Hindu and Buddhist symbolism. Most students favorites come from the illustrator Johanna Basford.

“My favorite coloring book would have to be ‘Harry Potter: The Coloring Book’. This book is full of various scenes and characters from the series that help the books to come alive. A close second would have to be the ‘Lost Ocean’ book by Johanna Basford. It is full of interesting sea creatures and ocean life that are very entertaining to fill in,” sophomore Lindsey Purrington said.

Because the coloring books help with stress relief, many students found themselves coloring in them throughout finals week, mainly because the books help with focus.

“The weekend before finals I was cramming to get in last minute studying. I was so stressed out and didn’t know what to do. I read online that coloring helps to relieve stress, so I thought I would give it a try.” Meissner said. 

Many students have seen improvement in their grades and moods after using the books.

“I noticed I wasn’t as stressed out about my finals like previous years. Since I was no longer stressed out my study habits became better, I felt more focused. When I got my tests back I was amazed at how well I did on them,” Meissner said.

Just as an added bonus, once a page is finished, it can be used as art to decorate a room. It helps to put a personal touch on any wall.

“It’s nice how the pages you decorate can act as room decor. These books are a great way for me to express myself through art.” Purrington said.
Whether buyers are 6 or 60, coloring books are timeless ways to entertain the human brain. They come with fun and exciting ways for the user to relieve stress without feeling like they’re in a psychiatrist’s office. These books are on the rise, and do not receive as much credit as they should.