You’ve probably noticed that over the last couple years adult coloring books have been popping up everywhere. This favorite childhood pastime is becoming one of the hottest new trends and for good reason: it’s therapeutic. Philly Family Life Counseling believes color therapy for adults is one of the best things a person can do to destress and practice mindfulness.
The Benefits of Coloring
There are many benefits to working through a coloring book. The noted late Swiss psychologist and psychiatrist, Carl Jung, was the first to start “prescribing” adult coloring. When you take the time to stop whatever you’ve been doing and focus on only one thing for 20 – 30 minutes, you’re making space for your mind to transition from stress to peace. Today, people are often so inundated with distractions that they miss opportunities for processing and self-reflection. The act of coloring intricate pictures and patterns, like meditation, allows us to clear our mind of distractions and start fresh.
Philly Family Life Counseling is such an advocate of art therapy, we provide opportunities for stress-relieving color therapy for adults in our reception area. This means if you arrive early, you can take part in an activity that will help you unwind from your day thus far and focus your mind positively. It utilizes areas of the brain that enhance focus and concentration. It also helps with problem solving and organizational skills.
What is Mindfulness?
Mindfulness is the mental state of being engaged with the present. Many of us are constantly living in the past or in the future. For example, thinking about what that coworker said yesterday while typing an important email or worrying about an upcoming meeting instead of enjoying lunch. Rather than engaging fully with what is in front of them, people tend to have their attention diverted.
Practicing mindfulness can decrease stress, anxiety, depression and help us achieve our mental health goals. We can practice mindfulness through yoga, meditation, coloring, journaling, cooking, or really any loved pastime that helps you get into flow and become more single minded.
How Coloring Facilitates Mindfulness
An adult coloring book is both a creative outlet and an effective therapeutic method. It’s an activity that lends itself particularly well to mindfulness, as it gives the participant something to focus on. Concentrating on filling the page with color, rather than the things on your to-do list or the conversations you had earlier in the day, can help train your brain to be mindful.
Enjoy Color Therapy in Northeast Philly!
Philly Family Life Counseling provides the Philadelphia area with compassionate therapy and counseling services. You can reach us at 215/677-3810 to request an appointment with one of our wonderful counselors. Philly Family Life Counseling is located in the Grant Ave & Krewstown Rd vicinity in Northeast Philadelphia.
Leave a Reply