During this Summit week, you’re learning and absorbing a lot. Why not unwind with an adult coloring page? Focusing on coloring can help you relax and let go of unwanted thoughts and feelings. Coloring while listening to the sessions can help you practice living fully in the moment. Because there are no wrong answers in art, you are encouraged to simply create your own world.
“The repetitive movement of coloring can be soothing and calming for some people who have high stress and heightened anxiety,” Michele Goldman, psychologist, explains.
The connection between art and mental health is a positive one. Completing a creative project can boost dopamine levels, increase drive, sharpen concentration and improve our overall sense of well-being. One 2015 study found that coloring significantly decreased symptoms of anxiety in children about to take a spelling test. And a 2020 study involving 120 older adults, 20 minutes of mandala coloring significantly relieved feelings of anxiety.
“Art provides a direct connection between the mind and the body, allowing people to physically work through mental blockages,” creative-arts therapist Tanya Kavicky-Mels said.
Download a coloring page below, or find your own online, there are many available for free.
