Joel Bobby is a licensed independent clinical social worker in Psychiatry & Psychology in Austin, Minnesota. The soothing nature of jigsaw puzzles allows us to relax, lowering our heart rate and blood pressure. The intense focus means we breathe deeply and release tension. These benefits make jigsaws great for those suffering from stress or anxiety. When doing a jigsaw puzzle we are exercising both sides of our brain simultaneously. This creates the connections that increase our abilities to learn, understand and remember. It also puts the brain into the same mental state we experience while dreaming, therefore naturally inducing this state of imaginative and engrossed meditation." Although coloring isn't the ultimate cure for stress and anxiety, sitting down for a long coloring session holds great value. As you color, pay attention to your breathing rhythm, ensuring steady, full breaths from your diaphragm, and tune into your heart rate periodically if you can. Embracing the imperfect Over at Happiful Magazine, we have also created articles on must-read books for anxious kids, as well as can mindful colouring help calm anxious kids.

What used to be known as a simple, fun activity for kids now is a tool for practicing good mental health. Coloring has increased in popularity recently, especially for adults. Coloring mandala images is proven to decrease stress and anxiety levels. If you want to experience a deep sense of tranquility, this is the ideal artwork for you to color and enjoy.Mindfulness' is defined by the Mental Health Foundation as activities that help us become more aware of our thoughts and feelings so that, instead of being overwhelmed by them, we are better able to manage them and in turn cope with our daily lives more effectively. So does colouring really fall under this category? Christine thinks so: Specifically, walking in the woods. It's been found that Londoners living near trees generally had better mental health than those who didn't. Christine also highlighted that walking through wooded areas can help prevent cancer, as well as working wonders for your mood:

Try to let go of judgments or expectations and enjoy the simple beauty of coloring. It doesn't matter if your picture is neat or messy. The only thing that matters is if you found enjoyment and relaxation while coloring. Other ways to relieve stress A study conducted by the British Journal of Occupational Therapy found that 80% of individuals suffering from depression felt happier when they knitted. Hayley West, knitting expert at Hochanda, says knitting can give colouring books a run for their money: There’s nothing else we want more in life than peace. With peace, we can live a life free of stress and worries. But what makes adult coloring so popular? Coloring can improve your health by: Promoting mindfulnessIndeed, several studies claim that coloring can be a healthy pastime. Aside from its obvious benefits, like improving vision and motor skills, it is believed to help a lot in dealing with stress and anxiety. Val Huet, Chief Executive Officer at the British Association of Art Therapists (BAAT) spoke to us about how colouring can act as a stepping stone to other therapeutic activities: Coloring is a healthy way to relieve stress. It calms the brain and helps your body relax. This can improve sleep and fatigue while decreasing body aches, heart rate, respiration, and feelings of depression and anxiety.