Do They Really Alleviate Stress ?

[Canary42]

I've read a lot of claims that these new colouring books for adults relieve stress.

Personally, from my experience with Painting-by-numbers kits, the difficulty I have with painting within the lines would stress me out further.

Other Abers experiences are of interest to me.

[gness]

I would think they do, Canary...using pencils or crayons rather than paint....

It's then a very repetitive movement....bit like my knitting and crochet..... and I believe there is a therapy which reduces anxiety through repetitive movements....

I certainly find the repetitive action of knitting really relaxing.....x

[Gavmacp]

Gness,
And if not a pint of Guinness or two!

[gness]

That's why I like crochet, Gav....one needle and one free hand.....♣

[ummmm]

I would say so. At work I have to cross reference lots of figures and I get totally absorbed in it. I think the concentration takes your mind off anything else but it's only mild concentration.

[Gavmacp]

You made me laugh out loud which I don't often do!

[chelle7272]

Yes canary, I work for a charity which works with, among other things, people suffering from low level mental health issues e.g. stress, anxiety and depression.
We have several books which we copy for people to colour, whether in the art classes or in their 121 sessions or at home.IT is not for everyone of course but those that enjoy it find it very helpful.

[gness]

MrG said I did that to him sometimes, Gav.....not always at the most appropriate moment though....... :-(

[gness]

I recall when my son was little.....forty odd years ago....heck!......My mother in law was a very fidgety, uptight lady.....she would spend hours colouring in his books because she said it relaxed her...x

[Gavmacp]

Anything that takes your concentration out of your head is good for reducing stress. Juggling is also good but your timing has to be good to get a sip of Guinness in.

[wolf63]

When my depression gets bad I find that playing Freecell and Sudoku help me focus a little. Colouring books would not suit me. My hands shake too much - the average toddler would make a neater job.

[gness]

It doesn't have to be neat, Wolf....it's the repetitiveness of the action which helps.....

If I had a very strung up child who couldn't concentrate one of the most successful lessons was using sequin waste as a stencil and by scribbling over it in a certain way the child could produce a fantastic city scene.......and calm down which was a blessing......☺

[naomi24]

Although not by numbers, I paint and I can honestly say that I become so absorbed in what I'm doing, I forget everything else - no matter what's going on in my life. Painting is a great way to alleviate stress.

[Caran]

Someone gave me an adult colouring book and colouring pencils for Christmas.
I haven't used it yet and don't really think I will.

[gness]

Caran...if holidays with you are anything to go by I should give Mr Caran the book and pencils for your next trip.......☺

[Caran]

Great idea gness but don't really think he would fall for that.

[Bathsheba]

Saw/heard a joke recently and can't remember it properly, but it was something like "how was this allowed to happen?" and the punchline was "2015 was the year adult colouring books were launched"

Baths
x x

[maggiebee]

Gave my daughter an adult colouring book and pencils at Christmas. She loves it and says she sits at the kitchen table for half an hour when she comes home from work colouring in. "Her" half hour before hubby and the boys come home for tea.

[Mamyalynne]

They only alleviate stress if you love coluring, if you don't then they won't.

I love them as do my two daughters and some are very intricate indeed.

[Ouzel]

When Mr O was having a rough time, he got a book of Celtic designs and a set of water based pens .. it worked, he got totally engrossed. The idea was to transfer the completed pages to graph paper as a cross stitch project for me.

[Mags22]

Very relaxing and absorbing