By Tina O’Conner
Give yourself permission to color and unleash your inner child.
In mental health terms, “when coloring, we activate different areas of our two cerebral hemispheres, says psychologist Gloria Martínez Ayala.” “The action involves both logic, by which we color forms, and creativity, when mixing and matching colors.
This incorporates the areas of the cerebral cortex involved in vision and fine motor skills [coordination necessary to make small, precise movements]. The relaxation that it provides lowers the activity of the amygdala, a basic part of our brain involved in controlling emotion that is affected by stress.”
In everyday life terms, coloring allows us to use both the right and left sides of our brain. It is then too hard for us to worry or feel stress. When we color, we put all of our energy into our masterpiece. If we take 30 minutes per day, that is 30 minutes per day to de-stress in a fun and creative way.
We all know how stress affects our minds and bodies: mental health issues, over or under eating, aches and pains (especially in our jaws, lower back, and shoulders), tension in our bodies, lack of sleep, irritability. The list goes on and on. Adult coloring books are available online and are becoming quite popular.
However, kids coloring books also work. I have plenty of Snoopy, Elsa, and Anna on my refrigerator at home. For me, coloring is a way to stay connected with my granddaughter. Since she lives out of state, I will color one side of a coloring book page, mail it to her, she colors the other side then mails it back. I am reducing my stress at the end my day and connecting with my lovely six-year-old granddaughter.
Other activities that accomplish the same goal include collages about feelings or a specific topic and putting together Legos. Do these activities with your children or grandchildren. It can also be a solo project. Make sure the activity is utilizing both sides of your brain.
You can also create a vision board. A vision board is a tool that helps us take a risk and accomplish a specific goal. For instance, if you are applying for a promotion; cut out words and pictures that help you visualize the promotion. Adhere them to the poster board in a way that makes sense to you. Take your time with this project. Give yourself the opportunity to reflect on the vision board to discover its unique meaning…you!!!!
P.S. Don’t forget to color outside the lines!!!
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Tina L. O’Connor, MS, NCC is a Licensed Professional Counselor who has a private counseling practice in Parkesburg. Tina attended college in Phoenixville and West Chester. Tina and her husband Doug have three amazing adult stepchildren and two beautiful grandchildren. Tina can be reached at Experience Positive Therapy via telephone at (610) 857-8089 or email at [email protected].
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