Are Colouring Books Good for Mental Health?
A child colouring “ You got this.” from our “ I Can DO This. Positive Affirmations Colouring Book for Kids.”
If you have ever picked up a colouring book and felt yourself slow down, even just a little, you already know the answer. But let's talk about why it actually works and why more and more busy women, mums, and nurses are turning to colouring as a serious tool for their mental well-being.
What happens in your brain when you colour?
When you focus on colouring, choosing shades, staying inside the lines, blending colours, your brain shifts away from the thoughts that are overwhelming you. It is not a distraction. It is more like a reset.
Colouring activates the parts of your brain linked to focus and creativity, while calming the part responsible for anxiety and stress. Some researchers compare it to a light form of meditation, without having to sit still and think of nothing, which, let's be honest, most of us cannot do.
Is it the same as mindfulness?
Very similar. Mindfulness is simply the practice of being present in the moment, not worrying about tomorrow or replaying yesterday. Colouring gives your hands and eyes something to do, making it much easier for your mind to follow. It is mindfulness through the back door.
Who is it for?
Colouring books are often marketed at children, but the mental health benefits are just as powerful for adults. In fact, some of the people who need it most are:
Busy mums running on empty
NHS and care workers coming off long shifts
Women managing anxiety or burnout
Anyone who finds traditional meditation difficult
At Ruthy Michaels, that is exactly who I had in mind when I created our adult colouring books. I know what exhaustion feels like from the inside, as a mum and as a nurse. I wanted to create something simple, affordable, and genuinely calming that you could pick up for twenty minutes and feel the difference.
Do you need to be good at art?
Absolutely not. That is the beauty of it. There is no wrong way to colour. Nobody is marking your work. It is just you, your colours, and a little bit of peace.
How long do you need to colour to feel the benefit?
Even ten to twenty minutes can make a real difference. You do not need a special time or a quiet room. Many of our customers colour while the kids are in bed, on their lunch break, or in front of the television in the evening.
What about children, are colouring books good for their mental health too?
Yes, and this is something I feel strongly about. Colouring helps children process emotions, develop focus, and build confidence. It also gives them a calm, screen-free activity that parents and children can enjoy together.
At Ruthy Michaels, we also create affirmation colouring books for children — combining the calming benefits of colouring with positive messages about identity, confidence, and self-worth.
Where do I start?
If you are new to colouring for wellbeing, start simple. Choose a book with designs that appeal to you, whether that is nature, patterns, or affirmations, and give yourself permission to just enjoy it.
You can browse the full Ruthy Michaels collection at www.ruthymichaels.com — colouring books, affirmation books, guided journals and activity books, all designed with your wellbeing in mind.
Lola Olajide is a registered nurse, mum, and the founder of Ruthy Michaels, a self-care book brand based in Dukinfield, Greater Manchester. She created the brand after her own experience with burnout, and believes that self-care does not have to be expensive or complicated.
🎁 Want to try before you buy? Grab your FREE calm colouring page here — no strings attached 💕 👉 bit.ly/4tFKPNL
📚 Ready to explore our full range? Shop self-care books at www.ruthymichaels.com
