Colouring-in books for adults? Yes! And some of them are topping best-seller lists! No, it isn’t weird: colouring-in for relaxation, and as a de-stressor, makes perfect sense.
How did this become a trend?
The colouring-in craze took off in 2013, when Johanna Basford released her Secret Garden: An Inky Treasure Hunt and Coloring Book (Laurence King Publishing). This 96-page collection of black-and-white birds, flowers, trees and plants became an instant worldwide bestseller!
But why?
Colouring-in is very effective as a de-stressor:
- It makes you concentrate and the colours are stimulating in a pleasing way.
- Focusing on the design cancels out noise and all those nagging worries for a bit.
- It doesn’t cost much, and you can pack it away in a drawer.
Add to that the satisfaction of creating something beautiful without having to study technique, and you have a feel-good activity that anyone can do.
Do you want to try it?
You can access fabulous black-and-white designs online or via publishers, but don’t think you have to spend a lot. Think about drawing some of your own designs, or tracing a pattern that you like. Then go and load up on some colour! Think anything from pencils and felt-tip pens to glitter pens!
Added bonus
For those of us with little kids, it’s an excuse to do something pleasant with them – c’mon, everyone, it’s time to colour!
If you want to know more about the trend and books, visit the Booktrib website.
Source: LA Times