Česky (CZK)Why Adult Coloring Books Are Actually Good for You
Why coloring works
Coloring pulls you into the here and now. You deal only with color and shape, the head settles, and scrolling steps aside. Pioneering research back in 2005 showed that coloring mandalas lowers anxiety.
It isn't full-blown art therapy (that rests on a relationship with a therapist), but as a home outlet it works great. And if classic mandalas bore you, there's no reason to force them.
What exactly science says
It's not just a couch feeling. a study on coloring and anxiety (Curry & Kasser, 2005) found that coloring structured patterns lowers anxiety more than free doodling — that gentle structure settles the head.
And it works on the body. research (Kaimal et al., 2016) measured lower cortisol (the stress hormone) after just 45 minutes of making art — no matter whether you can hold a pencil straight.
For the hat-trick: the ‘Sharpen Your Pencils’ study (Flett et al., 2017) showed that regular coloring eases anxiety and low mood in adults. So a pencil as first aid for a bad day makes sense — and with us you get a grin on top.
You don't have to color inside the lines or show anyone the result. Grab the color that makes you laugh first, and go.
What's going on in your head when you color
Coloring isn't switching your brain off, more like redirecting it. When you focus on one shade and one shape, you occupy the part of your attention that would otherwise chew over worries. Psychologists call the nearby state ‘flow’ — full absorption in an activity where you lose track of time. And that's exactly where the inner chatter that keeps you tense goes quiet.
The rhythm of your hand plays a role too. A repetitive, predictable movement is read by the body as a signal that nothing's wrong, and it shifts from alert mode into calm. It's a similar principle to knitting or kneading dough — the monotonous motion soothes the nervous system.
And then there's the little reward at the end. Every finished piece is a tangible ‘I got something done today’ — a small thing, but it lifts your mood better than another hour of scrolling that leaves you with nothing in hand.
How to fit coloring into your day
It works best as a fixed little break, not another task. Two pages with your morning coffee start the day calmly; in the evening after work they help you switch out of ‘work mode’, and you sleep better because your head isn't running at full throttle right up to the pillow.
Think of it as a digital detox in disguise. Ten minutes with a pencil is ten minutes without a screen, without notifications and without other people's opinions. Add your favorite music or a podcast and you turn it into a ritual you look forward to.
And you don't have to do it alone. Coloring together with a partner or a friend over a glass of wine is a sneakily great activity — hands busy, conversation flowing on its own, nobody staring at a phone. An ‘ordinary’ coloring book suddenly becomes an evening you'll remember.
Pencils, markers, or watercolor?
Colored pencils are the safest start — they forgive mistakes, layer well and don't run anywhere. Want richer colors? Buy softer pencils with more pigment; they cover the paper in almost one stroke. Cheap hard school pencils work too, but you'll sweat more over them and the color stays pale.
Markers give the result punch and sharp contrast, and suit more comic-style motifs. Watch out for bleed-through, though — that's why heavier paper and a sheet under the page pay off. Alcohol markers draw beautifully but soak through almost anything, so use a backing sheet twice over.
Watercolor and watercolor pencils are for the bolder — they give soft transitions and an almost ‘painterly’ result, but they need paper that can handle water. The best advice: don't mix everything at once. Pick one technique, get a feel for it over a few pages, and only then experiment.
And above all — it doesn't hinge on expensive gear. You'll manage the start just fine with a basic set of pencils for a few coins. Sort out quality once you find you really enjoy it and want to squeeze the most out of the result. At the start, enthusiasm matters more than equipment.
Does it have to be pretty? Not at all
The biggest brake on adults coloring isn't lack of time, but the fear it won't be ‘nice’. Somewhere we picked up the idea that you're only allowed to create with a result worthy of a shop window. But here the result doesn't matter at all — what matters is that moment with a pencil in hand.
Try letting yourself color something deliberately ‘wrong’. A purple bird, a green dick, an orange sky. That small rebellion against ‘correctness’ is surprisingly freeing, and that's exactly where part of the anti-stress lives. Nobody's testing you, nobody's handing out grades.
And you definitely don't have to put it anywhere. Finished pages can stay in a drawer, get torn up, or hang in the loo as a joke. Adult coloring isn't a contest for the best artwork — it's a private break where it doesn't matter how it turns out. The sooner you let that go, the more you'll enjoy it.
Tip: For rich results, use proper colors. A set like Maped Color'Peps (24 pcs) covers plenty of shades — so the dick really pops.
A few samples from our coloring books
Is it for you, or not?
- ✅ you're after a way to switch off
- ✅ classic mandalas bore you
- ✅ you want relaxation with a laugh
- ❌ you expect a miracle without a single stroke
- ❌ you're dealing with heavier issues that belong with a pro
- ❌ a drawn vulva offends you
You ask, we answer
Frequently asked questions
Is coloring really beneficial? +
Per research, yes — it lowers anxiety and cortisol, even for people who ‘can't draw’. Not a cure, but a measurably good stress outlet.
Do I need to know how to draw? +
Not at all. You color finished lines, so a pencil and the urge are enough. Same effect.
Which pencils work best? +
Classic pencils, markers or watercolor. The paper is heavier, so it survives wetter techniques.
Check these out too
Sources
Where we get our facts
- Curry, N. A., & Kasser, T. (2005). Can Coloring Mandalas Reduce Anxiety? Art Therapy, 22(2), 81–85.
- Kaimal, G., Ray, K., & Muniz, J. (2016). Reduction of Cortisol Levels and Participants' Responses Following Art Making. Art Therapy, 33(2), 74–80.
- Flett, J. A. M., et al. (2017). Sharpen Your Pencils: Adult Coloring Reduces Depressive Symptoms and Anxiety. Creativity Research Journal, 29(4), 409–416.
- Stuckey, H. L., & Nobel, J. (2010). The Connection Between Art, Healing, and Public Health. American Journal of Public Health, 100(2), 254–263.
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