One of my very favorite ways to relax on vacation is to color! A sweet friend of mine gave me an adult coloring book about 6 years ago, right before we left on a mission trip to Ethiopia. It is full of Scripture and biblical truths, and turned out to be so nice having with me there. Now that same coloring book has become one thing I always try to remember to pack, no matter where we are headed!
Something I’m glad I started doing from the beginning is writing on each page where I was when I colored it, as well as the date. I also like to choose a verse and design that relates to the place we are visiting or speaks to the meaning of the trip to me. Those intentional things make it more memorable to look back on, kind of like a photo album! For example, the one above was done while my husband and I were in Ethiopia, loving on precious children in an orphanage. It was so comforting to be reminded that each and every one of those kiddos has a Father who loves them dearly and has not abandoned them! I’m tearing up thinking about it. I know taking a little break a couple of times during that trip and spending some time coloring and reflecting helped me tremendously!
Coloring is is a form or active relaxation, which is a type of relaxation that involves some degree of movement. This would also include things like embroidery or yoga. I personally like active relaxation because I find that doing something with my hands actually helps calm my mind! When I try to relax in a ways where I am completely still, my mind tends to wander more. Maybe this is due to the fact that these days we are used to almost constant stimulation! Our poor brains weren’t meant to work this hard and process so much information. They need a break!
I also like that it is just for me and can be whatever I want it to be! Some pages are minimally colored, some are full and detailed and others were started but never finished. This trip the book actually got kind of wet in the beach bag, so there are some water spots on the pages, which I suppose adds character! One thing I love about my coloring book and the time I spend in it…there are no rules and there is no pressure. I can just be in the moment, put pencils to the page and see what happens. Don’t we all need more spaces like that in our lives? I’m going to challenge myself to start doing this when I am not on vacation, too!
Some of the benefits of coloring include:
- promotes creativity
- reduces stress and anxiety
- improves focus
- simple to do
- exercises both sides of the brain
- being in the present
- improving fine motor skills
- gives you a break from screens
- encourages mindfulness & meditation
- something for everyone
There are all kinds of different coloring books you can choose from! I’ve seen everything from nature to famous paintings to tattoos. I really appreciate that mine is a wire bound book so it is easy to lay flat, since I am often coloring while sitting on a beach chair, on a plane, etc. I will link the one I have as well as some other neat looking ones in my favorite things! I personally like to use colored pencils rather than crayons. They are skinnier and easier to use, which is beneficial since adult coloring books are more intricate and detailed than ones made for kids.
This past week in Mexico, I knew right away this was the page I wanted to color when I saw it! Partly because the butterfly is my blog logo and the symbol representing my word for the year… “transformation.” But also because I just finished studying the Book of Revelation last week with my college small group girls! I’m so thankful for this promise that The Lord is preparing a place for those who believe in Him, and the new heaven and new earth will be overwhelmingly beautiful & perfect in every way! The best part is that God Himself will be present with us for eternity:
Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”
Revelation 21:1-5
I hope now you’ll consider adding coloring to your repertoire of relaxation techniques! ! Thankfully even simple these like this can sometimes have a big impact on your health!
Although I am a nurse by trade, I am not a doctor or an expert, and the information I provide on this blog is for educational purposes only. Each person is unique and their needs and circumstances vary, so I always recommend that you consult your medical provider before making any changes.
