You’ve probably seen plenty online about adult coloring books and their therapeutic benefits. They were hot sellers this past holiday season, and they come recommended by many thanks to their ability to calm the mind and body, improve focus and reduce stress. If coloring books are as therapeutic as everyone says, can they boost your recovery to drug and alcohol addiction? Or are they simply a passing fad?
Recovery Comes with a Lot of Emotion
When you struggle with addiction, it’s inevitable that you’re going to go through a wide range of emotions. Some days you may feel stressed and anxious; other days you may feel angry and bitter. There are good days in there, too, where you’ll want to hold onto the optimism that you’re feeling.
When you’re dealing with such varied emotions, it’s crucial that you have tools to help you work through them. It doesn’t matter in what form those tools come, just as long as you have them. This is where coloring can be extremely helpful.
Benefits of Art Therapy
Coloring is a form of art therapy. Studies have shown that art therapy can make a huge difference in how you feel. Most art activities are simple and easy to accomplish. Because of this simplicity, they’re often associated with meditation. Some studies show that art therapy with a mindfulness component can improve health and reduce stress and anxiety.
Engaging in the art can also make you feel like a child again. It can be refreshing to let go of the stressors that are associated with adulthood such as paying bills or raising a family, if even for just a few minutes. If you have children, coloring together is a way to reconnect with them.
Coloring also works to reduce stress and anxiety. Stress makes it harder to focus on what’s important in your life, and too much of it can put you at risk for relapse. Studies have shown that art therapy may reduce cortisol, a hormone related to stress.
Finally, art therapy promotes self-reflection. When you focus your attention on coloring, your mind has the chance to relax and work through feelings that are hard to put into words. You may find that by coloring, you’re able to turn your emotions into concrete forms. This makes it easier to communicate how you’re feeling.
Is coloring a good recovery tool? It is! In fact, any type of art therapy is. If you enjoy coloring, let yourself explore other types of art forms such as drawing or painting. On a subconscious level, art is a wonderful way to express your inner feelings and work through emotions you didn’t know you had.
The River Source is a holistic treatment center that works with substance abuse patients. We believe in healing the mind, body, and spirit so that our patients can lead a fulfilling, drug-free lifestyle. Call us today to start your journey.
