Painting is also good for your health, mom

You may have drawn a lot when you were a child, but now drawing is not part of your daily life. Even when you have to sit by your child’s side to make a picture or help them color in a drawing, it’s only because you have to help your child, not because you want to. However you should not see painting as a boring chore, anything but.

While children’s coloring books include cartoon characters and simple drawings, adult coloring books have intricate designs of flowers, artwork, etc. Books are available commercially or you can print free coloring pages online.

How does painting benefit the health of adults?

It helps with concentration

Painting helps to concentrate and enjoy the moment.

For example, because you focus on color and staying within the margins, all you think about is your design and your next moves. Practice being non-judgmental as you go through the task without expectations – just be in the moment.

While coloring, you are using the parts of your brain that enhance focus and concentration. This alone gives you the opportunity to not think negative and stressful thoughts.

Relieves stress

Painting is a healthy way to relieve stress. It calms the brain and helps your body relax. This can improve sleep, relax you, while reducing body aches, heart rate, breathing, and feelings of depression and anxiety.

Although painting is not the ultimate cure for stress and anxiety, devoting even half an hour of your time is well worth it. As you color, pay attention to your breathing and the rate at which you breathe, ensuring steady and full breaths from your diaphragm. If you can, coordinate with your heart rate as well.

There is no perfection in painting

There is no right or wrong in painting. It’s a non-competitive activity, so there’s no pressure or reason to get your heart rate up to win something or break a time record. You can paint as much as you want, however you want, whatever you want. You also don’t have to finish your painting in one day.

Enjoy the simple beauty of painting. It doesn’t matter if your image is neat or not. All that matters is whether you found enjoyment and relaxation in coloring.

Anti-stress coloring pages to relieve stress – Free printable

If you want to relax and de-stress after a long day, print some coloring pages for your kids (see here for many options) and some for you.

If you don’t want the kids coloring pages, below you will find some designs to help you rest and relax while doing something creative with your little ones.

^{with information from mayoclinichealthsystem.org}