Adult colouring-in books were on many North Coasters’ Christmas wish lists as young and old are sharpening colourful pencils, trying their best to keep in the line.
This rather unusual trend has gained almost over night popularity with adults world-wide.
Ballito-based clinical psychologist Diante Fuchs has also been bitten by the trending colouring-in bug.
“I love colouring-in with my three-year-old. I often get so engrossed in the process, I do not even notice that she has left to go and do something else, leaving me avidly colouring in the latest Sophia the First picture,” said Fuchs.
However, Fuchs said there has been very little research done on whether colouring-in is at all therapeutic.
“It feels therapeutic and maybe there is also something about engaging in a childhood activity again that is attractive to most people.”
She said it is known that creative arts play a large role in mental well-being and therapy, but these activities usually entail the creation of something artistic – a drawing, painting or sculpture.
Although colouring-in is not quite as creative, Fuchs said there is something very relaxing about the activity.
“I believe it has something to do with sitting in one place and engaging with a single activity to the exclusion of all else. Some may find this mindful, yet others may find the activity assists in inducing a trance-like state, where their thoughts and daydreams flow.”
Fuchs said trance is really just deep relaxation.
“We can easily induce trance through focused awareness while losing peripheral awareness. Colouring in certainly facilitates this. So while we are actively focusing on staying in the lines and choosing beautiful colours, we are indeed placing ourselves in a state of relaxation, which is deeply therapeutic. In my opinion, colouring in certainly is beneficial and definitely induces relaxation, allows you to take time out of a hectic schedule and takes you back to childhood fun!”
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