THE SATURDAY EVENING POST AMERICANA COLORING BOOK

Adult coloring books are becoming very popular. In fact, there are clinical studies investigating the effects that a simple coloring activity has on the brain of an adult. No less an institution than Mayo clinic has taken time to inform us of the health benefits of this activity (see video below).

As of this writing (July 2016) there are reports of global shortages of—colored pencils! Two of the world’s largest manufacturers of art pencils, Faber-Castell and Staedtler and Stabilo are seeing a double-digit increase in sales and are having to add shifts to keep up with demand.

Psychologists have likened coloring to meditation. The process allows the mind to focus on a single task, to step away from everyday problems, and to relax. Coloring the patterns in books is a terrific activity for care partners to share; a way to relax together.