Imagine finding serenity within the vibrant pages of a coloring book. It’s not just about filling in shapes; it’s about cultivating mindfulness—a state of present-moment awareness that can transform how we navigate life’s stresses.

Recent years have witnessed a surge in the popularity of adult coloring books, but their appeal runs deeper than mere entertainment. These books are now hailed as vehicles for mindfulness, a practice rooted in focusing on the present moment without judgment. But are these claims supported by science?

Enter the realm of mindfulness, as described by Kabat-Zinn and Bishop—where attention meets awareness, and the breath becomes a focal point for grounding oneself in the here and now. While traditional mindfulness practices like meditation have gained recognition for their mental health benefits, the marriage of mindfulness and coloring books is a relatively new phenomenon.

Research suggests that mindfulness practices can reduce anxiety, depression, and stress while improving overall well-being. But can coloring books deliver similar benefits? The jury’s still out.

Despite the surge in popularity and claims of mindfulness benefits, many coloring books lack the structured guidance found in traditional mindfulness practices. This absence of direction raises questions about whether coloring books truly facilitate mindfulness or merely offer a soothing pastime.

Studies exploring the connection between coloring books and mindfulness yield mixed results. While some suggest a potential link between coloring and reduced anxiety, others find no significant difference between coloring and free-drawing activities.

Moreover, the diversity of coloring book designs—from mandalas to abstract patterns—adds another layer of complexity. While some advocate for circular mandalas as tools for mindfulness, others argue that true mindfulness lies in the act of drawing within a circle rather than simply filling in shapes.

As the debate continues, researchers are delving deeper into the nuances of mindfulness coloring. Experimentation with guided coloring sessions aims to bridge the gap between unstructured coloring books and traditional mindfulness practices.

However, challenges remain. Flow, a state of deep immersion in an activity, may be disrupted by external guidance during coloring sessions, hindering the potential benefits of mindfulness.

Furthermore, the lack of diverse study populations and control groups limits our understanding of how different individuals respond to coloring as a mindfulness practice.

Despite these challenges, the allure of mindfulness coloring persists. For many, coloring books serve as a gateway to mindfulness—a gentle introduction to the practice of being present.

As the coloring book revolution continues to unfold, one thing remains clear: whether it’s within the lines of a mandala or the swirls of abstract art, the journey to mindfulness is as diverse as the colors on the page.

Mantzios M, Giannou K. When Did Coloring Books Become Mindful? Exploring the Effectiveness of a Novel Method of Mindfulness-Guided Instructions for Coloring Books to Increase Mindfulness and Decrease Anxiety. Front Psychol. 2018 Jan 30;9:56. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2018.00056. PMID: 29441038; PMCID: PMC5797627.