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If you thought you’d left your drawing days behind you in childhood, think again
Adult colouring books offer something for everyone – and we mean everyone. Golfer Tyrrell Hatton chose colouring to decompress while competing in the Masters in 2021; even busy parents have recognised the unexpected joy that comes from picking up a crayon and spending the better part of an hour shading in a dinosaur alongside their kids.
They seem especially relevant as we emerge from lockdown life after a tumultuous and painful year. Whether we’re seeking to reignite our creativity or need to stop ourselves from doom-scrolling social media feeds for hours, colouring can help.
"Colouring is a fantastic way to keep your mind gently occupied, while allowing it time to process all the information and emotions that you’ve accumulated throughout the day, so that you can rest more deeply and peacefully at night," Dot Zacharias, sleep coach and COO of the Nourish App, a mental wellness app for parents, says.
We’ve spent over 25 hours with felt tips and colouring pencils, shading and doodling in the books below over the past month (this roundup consists primarily of new releases, with a couple of older books that are worth checking out, too).
What we’ve found most surprising – in a good way – is that every time we start to colour in a picture, we look up from the page to find an hour or more has flown by. Colouring is completely immersive, and yes, we do find it immensely relaxing.
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The most important thing to remember? Throw out any preconceived rules. You didn’t need to colour in the lines as a child, and you certainly don’t now.
You can trust our independent reviews. We may earn commission from some of the retailers, but we never allow this to influence selections, which are formed from real-world testing and expert advice. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.
See what all the fuss is about with adult colouring and dip your watercolour pencil into Johanna Basford’s newest release, Worlds of Wonder. We think it will get those creative juices flowing and help you relax at the same time.
Another safe bet? Try Millie Marotta’s Woodland Wild for soothing pictures of animals and landscapes.
Top tip: you’ll find pocket-sized colouring books from both of these illustrators, which are perfect for on-the-go stress relief.
For the latest offers on colouring books and stationery, and general self-care pampering , try the links below:
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