9 Types of Adults Who Enjoy Adult Coloring

Adult coloring has become a trend in recent years, thanks to its touted self-care and relaxation benefits. Today, you can find adult coloring sheets featuring everything from animals to floral patterns and mandalas in physical stores and online book retailers.

While this creative pastime was considered a kid’s thing for ages, adults from all professions are now looking for a way to include it in their to-do lists. Whether it is for stress relief, monetary benefits, or a hobby to pass free time, adult coloring appeals to everyone for different reasons.

Here are 9 different types of people who enjoy adult coloring.

1. Stress Relievers

Over the past years, most adults have switched to adult coloring as a fun way to unwind, calm their minds, and reduce burnout. Although the art might look simple, recent studies show that adult coloring can alleviate stress and anxiety, and promote relaxation. For instance, studies suggest that engaging in 20 minutes of mandala coloring could significantly alleviate self-induced anxiety and stress. Therefore, adult coloring helps stress relievers in the following ways:

• Activating the brain’s relaxation response by stimulating the parasympathetic nervous system. The stimulation reduces the body’s stress-related responses such as increased heart rate and cortisol levels. As a result, stressed individuals can enter a state of calm and mental clarity.
• Promoting mindfulness and focus, helping the mind to stay clear without any worries. Coloring offers stress relievers a fun break from overthinking, leading to enhanced concentration.
• Encouraging the release of dopamine, which promotes creative expression, emotional balance, and mood elevation.

2. Creative Souls

Adult coloring is a valuable pastime for creative people looking for a structured way to showcase their creativity. It allows creative professionals to experiment with different color combinations, shading techniques, and patterns. It also balances between work and freedom, allowing colorists to try different styles within the same pre-drawn designs.

Physical or traditional coloring has been linked to improved fine motor skills. Psychologists have also found that, besides promoting calmness and tranquillity, blue may positively impact workplaces where workers handle technical projects. On the other hand, studies show that red can influence alertness and attention to detail. Therefore, when combined, coloring with blues and reds can boost creativity among artists.

3. Mindful Practitioners

Mindfulness has found its way into coloring books, and many practitioners are turning to mindful coloring for its claimed benefits. Various studies suggest that repetitive coloring and its required attention help colorists stay present. Coloring also allows mindful practitioners to engage their minds without overwhelming them, leading to non-judgemental awareness of their thoughts and emotions.

Mindful coloring is also a powerful tool that can complement other mental relaxation activities like meditation and yoga. By reducing mental clutter and regulating emotions, coloring provides a tangible way for mindful practitioners to focus on the present and remain alert. It also promotes stress and anxiety relief, helping individuals to achieve a state of flow.

4. Illness Recovery

Adult coloring can be therapeutic for people recovering from illness. For instance, studies show that simple activities such as coloring take away attention from oneself and other stressful things, allowing recovering individuals to focus on the present moment. It also boosts self-esteem and helps individuals cope with difficult emotions, leading to enhanced self-care and recovery.

Dealing with chronic illness can lead to depression and anxiety. Fortunately, studies show that participating in coloring activities can reduce depression-related symptoms and promote positive emotions. As a result, recovering individuals can experience elevated mood, reduced feelings of helplessness, and a sense of hope and well-being.

5. Therapy Seekers

A simple adult coloring act can also be a therapeutic tool for those seeking emotional, psychological, and behavioral therapy. Coloring provides a creative, non-invasive way to process emotions and enhance mental health, especially when combined with other traditional therapeutic techniques. While it may seem a simple act of adding colors to pre-drawn images, adult coloring helps therapy seekers understand themselves and self-compassion.

Several studies support the therapeutic benefits associated with adult coloring, including improved sleep, mindfulness, brain function, and self-awareness. For instance, while science-backed research on therapy is still limited, it is believed that color and colored lights can help treat some physical and mental conditions.

6. Nostalgic Colorists

Coloring is more than a creative pastime for nostalgic colorists – it is the easiest way to reconnect with the past and enjoy the joy of childhood. Most adults turn to coloring as a comforting, familiar activity that reminds them of their carefree childhood, imaginative teen days, or past experiences. Playing with coloring tools can also trigger fond memories, taking colorists back to the days when life was stress-free.

Coloring gives adults a break from their responsibilities, allowing them to enjoy a sense of freedom and test their creativity without any rules. When coloring, adults can experiment with different shades, patterns, and color schemes without feeling the need for perfection. Coloring also helps those who experienced traumatic life in their childhood or youth to reconcile with their difficult memories by focusing on the positive moments.

7. Casual Hobbyists

We are all looking for effective and fun breaks from our busy lives. Some people prefer going to the gym, reading, riding, visiting nice places, or cooking. However, others find joy in playing with coloring tools and creating imaginative images that remind them of their childhood. While some artists take coloring as their job, casual hobbyists use coloring as their relaxing escape from their frantic lives.

Casual coloring is an inexpensive hobby that allows colorists to explore their creativity, manage their mental health, and enjoy a sense of accomplishment. Starting coloring as a casual is also straightforward since the hobbyist only needs affordable coloring pencils, sheets, and a stable surface. With time, they can advance their hobby and monetize their skills.

8. Social Colorists

Adult coloring also allows social colorists to connect with others, share ideas, build relationships, and enjoy a mutual artistic environment. They can bond in person through organized coloring meetups or socialize through online communities. Whichever way social colorists choose to connect, adult coloring provides a fun and interactive way to boost their creativity while enjoying social engagement.

Social colorists benefit from interactive coloring in many ways. Besides enjoying a sense of community connection and bonding, they can access coloring expert advice, participate in themed or event-based coloring, and enjoy inclusive artistic activities. They also experience elevated confidence, particularly through receiving compliments or feedback for their completed artworks.

9. Travel Enthusiasts

Adult coloring, particularly digital coloring is ideal for those who want to enjoy a relaxing activity on the go. Traveling can be stressful and boring, and the best way to unwind during the long journey is to engage in a fun activity that can kick away wary thoughts. Therefore, adult coloring helps travel enthusiasts relax and enjoy a meditative break during the journey.

Adult coloring allows travelers to capture memories of the places they visit. They can also socialize with other travelers through collaborative coloring and customize their travel journals or scrapbooks with their artistic flair. This allows them to add a personal touch to their travel documentation.

Final Thoughts

Adult coloring is a versatile and creative activity that attracts people from all professions, ages, and interests. From casual hobbyists and therapy seekers to travel enthusiasts and those recovering from illness, coloring has a way of accommodating everyone. Therefore, whether you are a busy adult, stressed, or you are looking for a fun way to engage your mind, the flexibility of this simple yet profound activity allows you to enjoy it anywhere.