Feeling stressed or anxious? Grab a colouring book!

It seems colouring books are no longer a pastime just for kids as the world of adult colouring books has gained serious popularity. 

Colouring isn't just a fun activity, it also trains the brain to focus and has some serious health benefits.

Psychiatrist Carl Jung first used this form of therapy in the early 1900s by prescribing colouring books to his patients to calm and centre their mind and his methods are still being used today to combat anxiety. As colouring is a structured activity, is activates the logical part of the brain and gets the creativity of the mind flowing. 

New York based psychologist Dr. Ben Michaelis advocates doodling and colouring as a form of brain training and therapy. "Because it’s a centering activity, the amygdala, which is the part of the brain that is involved with our fear response, actually gets a bit, a little bit of a rest, and it ultimately has a really calming effect over time.”

Many book retailers have began selling colouring books exclusively for adults, including Easons, and you can also download pictures to colour in online. 

The Mindfulness Colouring Book is €12.65 and available at Easons. 

This art therapy book aims at helping people de-stress and is €20.55 from Easons.  

For some late night colouring, The Can't Sleep Colouring Book is available for €14.99 also from Easons.