Think spending hours coloring is only a childhood pastime? Think again!
Coloring has the ability to relax the fear center of your brain. It induces the same state as meditating by reducing the thoughts of a restless mind. This generates mindfulness and quietness, which allows your mind to get some rest after a long day at work. It has also been shown to improve motor skills and vision, improve sleep, and help you focus. All the more reason to consider adding some stress-relieving coloring time to your day!
Wendi Germain, the Nutrition and Wellness Director at Senior Solutions, has recently created a coloring book called “Finding Calm Through Color.” The book features many intricate “mandalas” to help you release your creative instincts. Wendi is a self-taught artist who found the joy of art when she realized that art doesn’t always have to be planned to look a certain way. For her, the beauty is in the unexpected result; she starts each piece with no expectations. She loves to draw and paint mandalas and always avoids drawing straight lines and sharp corners. Drawing and coloring should be fun! Seniors can obtain a free copy by calling our HelpLine at 802-885-2669.
Senior Solutions’ Wendi Germain (center) sits with community members during a “Creative Aging” class. (Herb Swanson photo)
