Imagine your mind beginning to calm itself like melted ice cream dripping down the side of a summer ice cream cone. Sounds difficult? Not when crayons and colored pencils are involved. Yep- I’m talking about coloring. Adult coloring books have found a place on Amazon’s Best Seller List, and it’s no surprise to the inner artist in all of us.

By turning off cell phones, computers, and what not and  letting the physical movement of color and line take our focus, we can begin to relax. According to Adrianna Davis from Oprah Magazine, feeling peaceful just might mean breaking out the crayons. She recommends Splendid Cities and Secret Paris as books where gorgeously intricate scenes are outlined and ready for color. NPR recently described amazing birds, flowers, and beetles in Johanna Basford’s coloring books, Secret Garden and Enchanted Forest.

Clinical psychologist Kimberly Wulfert  from EverydayHelath.com explains that we get a physical sensation from touching the paper. She describes how movements and rhythms allow us to be mindful, and over time it can before a form of meditation.

Kids have a way of finding just what they need. Perhaps the simple act of coloring is what adults are needing too. Now where did I put those crayons…