Coloring for Calm and Personal Growth

Source: Romantic Country: The Second Tale: A Fantasy Coloring Book; coloring by Irene LIn.

Guest blog post by Irene Lin

Coloring has always been my go-to whenever I need some time away from my workspace. All I need is a coloring book and coloring pencils to get me started. Seeing the colors appear at my fingertips gives me an oddly satisfying feeling, and time flies before I realize it. 

Few experts in the art therapy field have considered coloring to be a part of art therapy because of its structured nature, and while art therapy emphasizes creativity. But coloring can be an introductory task for those new to art therapy and to get them interested in visual arts.  

Coloring helps you relax by taking your attention away from yourself. When your brain is focused on coloring, you are not disturbed by your own thoughts, and your brain will find this rewarding. Coloring has been proved to reduce stress levels and negative thinking. In contrast, it has fewer benefits than in-person art therapy sessions, but its positives include affordability and accessibility. 

Coloring supplies can be found easily at major retailers (like Amazon), and no art experience is needed to be able to color. Though color pencils are one of the most versatile mediums, other options include brush pens, watercolors, colored markers, and water-soluble colored pencils.

Colors can have many representations, and people assign conscious or unconscious meaning to them. I associate green with nature, while others can see green as health and growth. One can choose to color flowers pink because that is the color they associated flowers with, while others can choose to color flowers blue because they have an important memory attached to blue flowers. Whatever is the case, colors have meanings whether you realize them or not. 

I have been coloring since 2015, and I still color today. Through coloring, I can see my growth as an artist and as a person. I have always chosen bright colors and tried to bring in as many colors as I can. Over the years, I learned to match colors that will go well together and to use the blank space outside the lines. 

Coloring has been a part of my growth from a high schooler to a mental health counselor in training. Along the way, it’s helped me find peace and calm. Coloring is my way of journaling: It documents my journey. 

Irene, an Advanced Clinical Intern at my practice, is a Mental Health Counseling graduate student at Hunter College in New York City and a proud owner of dozens of coloring books.

Other Resources:

Free coloring pages

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