Hi friends! I hope everyone is settling into their new routine this semester and the stress is easing. If you’re anything like me, the beginning of the semester is almost as rough as the end. New classes, new professors, new peers, and new assignments can be so overwhelming. One thing that always helps my anxiety is coloring. As an Art Therapy major, I’ve learned that coloring can relieve your stress, distract, and relax you. When I color, I sometimes feel as if I can turn off my brain and really enjoy myself.
As you all know, my Nana is to thank for my artistic ability and passion. When I was first injured, she bought me an “adult coloring book” full of gorgeous mandalas. For those of you who don’t know what a mandala is, it’s a circular design or pattern that holds spiritual significance to many cultures. In Art Therapy, we use them often. The circular form can represent wholeness and balance. Shapes, colors, and patterns within the mandala can symbolize emotions, thoughts, or feelings. The benefits of using mandalas in art therapy can include stress relief and mindfulness. Engaging in Art Therapy with a mandala encourages one to focus on the present moment, providing distraction, relaxation, and calmness. Mandala coloring books were my go-to for years after my accident. My Nana and I would color in them for hours!
I can say with certainty that coloring helps me, and if you are feeling overwhelmed by the stress of the beginning of the semester, consider getting a coloring book!
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