Health experts share benefits of coloring as an adult

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Adults can have many stresses in their lives, like work, running a household, and raising kids. If you are not careful, all that stress can build up and cause problems with your health. Adults are now participating in a childhood activity that is helping them relax.

Andi Willis’ days are never black and white.

“My typical day is bouncing from being one thing to another,” Willis said.

The mother of two has her hands full with running a household and a business. Those same hands are now filled with colored pencils.

“It’s a nice way to relax at the end of the day if you have a really really busy life like I do,” Willis said.

Willis is dropping the work load and picking up a childhood activity that helps adults like her relax.

“Having something that sort of centers you and brings you in the present and allows you to block out all of that craziness that goes on with life I think is really helpful,” Willis said.

It is also good for your health. Kim Patat is a recreation therapist at Coliseum Medical Centers. She has used coloring as a therapy treatment for more than 30 years.

“Stress can be so physically debilitating,” Patat said. ‘It can cause headaches, it can cause heart problems, it can cause muscle pain.”

She has seen huge health improvements in her adult patients, despite the thought this activity may be a little young.

“A lot of adults think, ‘Well that’s childish, I don’t want to do that. my children color,’” Patat said. “If they would just pick it up one time and do it, they would find it is very relaxing.”

Coloring your way back to your inner child.

“My kids make fun of me a little bit,” Willis laughed.

And finding peace at the end of a long day as an adult.

Health experts say finding 10 to 15 minutes a day to do something for yourself, like coloring, will help reduce your stress level.