Ever feel like your brain has too many tabs open and you just can't find the off switch?
Life throws a lot at us. Work deadlines loom. Family needs attention. The news feed never stops. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed, like you're constantly running on a frayed wire. I know that feeling. Our founder here at GoodExistence.com, Stephen Montagne, often talks about his own journey. He battled gaming, binge eating, and a generally unhealthy lifestyle. He understands what it's like to feel stuck and stressed, searching for a way to find some peace.
It turns out, sometimes the simplest things can offer the biggest relief. And one of those simple things? Adult coloring books.
Rediscovering a Childhood Calm
Remember coloring as a kid? The pure joy of picking a crayon, the focus of trying to stay within the lines (or happily scribbling outside them). There was something inherently calming about it. Well, that magic doesn't disappear when we grow up.
Adult coloring books tap into that same sense of simple, focused activity. When you sit down with a intricate design and a set of colored pencils or markers, something wonderful happens. Your mind, which might have been racing with a thousand worries, starts to quiet down.
You’re not thinking about that email you need to send or the argument you had. You're thinking about whether to use sky blue or cerulean for that flower petal. This shift in focus is powerful. It’s a form of mindfulness, bringing your attention to the present moment.
How Coloring Helps Quiet the Noise
Stephen often shares how, in his journey of losing over 110 pounds and building a balanced life, finding healthy ways to manage stress was key. He replaced old habits like excessive gaming with new routines, including short bursts of deep work and daily gratitude. Coloring can be one of those healthy tools.
Think about it. When Stephen was working to overcome binge eating, it was partly about finding alternatives to emotional triggers. Stress is a huge trigger for many unhealthy habits. Coloring provides a constructive, calming outlet. Instead of reaching for a snack you don't need or zoning out in front of a screen for hours, you engage in a gentle, creative activity.
It helps by:
- Reducing anxiety: Focusing on a repetitive, simple task can lower activity in the amygdala, the brain's fear center.
- Improving focus: It trains your brain to concentrate on one thing, which can carry over into other areas of your life. Stephen’s productive routine involves short bursts of deep work; coloring can be a similar mini-session of focused calm.
- Promoting relaxation: The rhythmic motion of coloring can be very soothing, similar to meditation.
It’s not about becoming a great artist. It's about the process.
Getting Started: It’s Simpler Than You Think
You don’t need a fancy art studio or expensive supplies. That’s the beauty of it.
- Find a Book You Like: There are coloring books for every interest imaginable – mandalas, animals, landscapes, abstract patterns, even swear words if that’s your thing! Pick something that genuinely appeals to you.
- Choose Your Tools: Colored pencils are a great start. Markers offer vibrant colors. Gel pens can add fun details. Don’t overthink it. Use what you have or pick up a small, inexpensive set.
- Set Aside a Little Time: You don’t need hours. Even 15-20 minutes can make a difference. Think of it like Stephen’s short bursts of deep work. You can color during your lunch break, before bed to wind down, or while listening to a podcast.
- Let Go of Perfection: This is crucial. There’s no right or wrong way to color. Want to make the sky green and the grass purple? Go for it! This is for your relaxation, not for an art gallery.
When Stephen talks about celebrating small wins, this applies to coloring too. Finishing a small section, or even just spending 10 minutes coloring when you feel stressed, is a win. It’s a conscious choice to care for your mental well-being.
More Than Just Pretty Pictures
The benefits of adult coloring extend beyond just immediate stress relief. It’s a quiet activity that can nurture other positive aspects of your life.
It can be a moment of unplugging in a hyper-connected world. A chance to create something tangible when so much of our work is digital. It’s a way to practice patience and attention to detail. For Stephen, building a productive routine and a healthy lifestyle involved making small, consistent changes. Coloring can be one of those small, consistent acts of self-care that add up.
He also emphasizes daily gratitude and strengthening his Christian Orthodox faith. While coloring isn't a religious practice, the quiet space it creates can allow for reflection. It can be a peaceful backdrop for prayer or simply being thankful for a moment of calm in a busy day. It helps you find purpose by first finding peace.
A Simple Tool for Your Well-being Kit
Life will always have its stresses. We can't eliminate them entirely. But we can equip ourselves with tools to manage them better. Adult coloring books are a surprisingly effective, accessible, and enjoyable tool to add to your well-being kit.
It’s not a magic cure-all. But it’s a simple, active way to give your mind a break, reduce stress, and maybe even rediscover a little bit of that childhood joy. Stephen found his path to a balanced, healthy lifestyle by changing habits and finding new, positive outlets. This could be one of yours.
So, next time you feel that familiar tension rising, or your mind feels like a runaway train, consider reaching for a coloring book. Give yourself permission to just sit and color. No pressure. No expectations. Just you, the colors, and a moment of peace.
What’s one small, simple activity you could try this week to give your mind a rest? Maybe coloring is it. Why not give it a try?
