Adult coloring books have become a new, favorite trend for adults of all ages. From Harry Potter coloring pages to relaxing meditative patterns – adult coloring has made an impact on our society. Not only is adult coloring a calming therapeutic activity for adults, but the benefits of coloring for aging adults can have many social and cognitive benefits.
Relieves Stress and Anxiety
Scott M. Bea, Psy.D., a clinical psychologist, talks about how adult coloring has everything to do with refocusing our minds. “Adult coloring requires modest attention focused outside of self-awareness. It is a simple activity that takes us outside ourselves. In the same way, cutting the lawn, knitting, or taking a Sunday drive can all be relaxing.” Seniors can use coloring therapy to control anxiety and fear.
Improve Focus
Coloring can help deepen focus and improve attention span. Paying attention to coloring inside lines, choosing appropriate colors and coloring patterns, even choosing how much force to use of the coloring tool to the paper helps direct attention and center the mind.
Build Motor Skills
Motor skills are an important asset for seniors to maintain. Adult coloring can improve eye and hand coordination when practiced often. Unfortunately, motor skills fade as people age, but coloring is one relaxing and useful tool that can help strengthen these skills and rebuild basic motor skills and trigger forgotten ones.
Explore Forgotten Memories
The simple act of coloring can bring back many memories for aging adults. Those memories may be of coloring as a child, taking a beloved art class during college, painting during young adulthood, or it may trigger another creative act of expression like singing, creative writing and even dancing. These forgotten memories can be treasured ones that inspire and motivate aging seniors.
Improve Attitude and Decrease Depression
Coloring is a great way to help take the mind away from negative and unhealthy thoughts and replace them with positive feelings. Dr. Joel Pearson, a brain scientist of the University of New South Wales explained to Medical Daily that “concentrating on coloring an image may facilitate the replacement of negative thoughts and images with pleasant ones.”
Rediscover the Self
At different ages, adults find themselves trying to redefine who they are, what they like, what they want to do. Reestablishing yourself after retirement and having adult children can be difficult while dealing with mental and physical health issues that may arise. Coloring pages can help seniors out of the constant battle in their minds about how they define themselves. The process allows adults to be present with their thoughts and rediscover who they are.
Color Me Happy
The Color Me Happy event hosted by your local SYNERGY HomeCare allows adults of all ages to spend time discovering and enjoying the benefits of coloring. Aging adults may feel as if coloring is just a child’s activity, but once they realize the benefits that coloring offers to any person, they often find that the activity is fun, relaxing, and can trigger skills and memories that have been forgotten. Adult coloring is a great activity for seniors suffering from dementia and other cognitive difficulties.
Contact your local SYNERGY HomeCare agency to locate a Color Me Happy event you can or your senior can attend. Bring a friend, color, win prizes! All coloring materials provided.