Assessment
Relieve Stress With an Adult Coloring Book
Unwind with this fun, do-anywhere activity
Adrienne Bresnahan/Getty Images
Quick Win
Reap the anxiety-reducing benefits of coloring — no artistic ability required!
Try This Today
- Buy an adult coloring book the next time you’re at the store, or shop for one online. You can also download and print free mandala coloring pages from websites like MondayMandala.com.
- Gather some crayons, markers, colored pencils or colorful pens and get coloring!
- Try sitting down to color the next time you feel stressed. It’s also a low-stress way to pass the time while waiting at the vet, the auto shop or your health care provider’s office.
Why
Adult coloring books have been popular for years, and it’s easy to see why: They’re portable, they don’t require you to have any artistic skill and they can help ease anxiety. In a study of 88 adults ages 18 to 65 with generalized anxiety disorder, those who colored in a coloring book five times a week in addition to receiving conventional treatment (anti-anxiety medication and physical therapy) appeared to have significantly less anxiety after three weeks than those who only did conventional treatment. The study was published in 2022 in Animal Models and Experimental Medicine.
More Ways to Benefit
- Related Benefit 1
- Related Benefit 2
- Related Benefit 3
- Related Benefit 4
- Related Benefit 5
AARP NEWSLETTERS
Get the Staying Sharp newsletter
Sign up for the latest on brain health, featuring articles, activities, recipes, games and more!
Benefits Recommended For You
You’ve reached content that’s exclusive to AARP members.
To continue, you’ll need to become an AARP member. Join now, and you’ll have access to all the great content and features in Staying Sharp, plus more AARP member benefits.
Already a Member? Login
More From Staying Sharp
Confident Action: The Key to Success
Acting confidently can help you achieve your goals and handle challenging tasks
Game Night for Good Times and Brain Health
Ditch screens, gather your loved ones and enjoy some good old-fashioned fun
Hats Off to This Problem-Solving Method
This technique helps you find solutions by shifting the way you think