The Benefits Of Coloring Mandalas

Coloring mandalas gives us the opportunity to work our levels of attention and to achieve a greater state of relaxation, whatever our age. In fact, today we can find a wide variety of adult coloring books in bookstores, an increasingly growing trend that has become a publishing phenomenon.

During our childhood we carry out many leisure activities with the sole objective of having fun or entertaining ourselves, but as our obligations grow together with the phrase “I don’t have time” they make us separate these types of activities from our day to day life. And also, this causes us to be more stressed, since we do not usually disconnect.

Many of us, when we were children, enjoyed hours and hours with our colored pencils giving life to our favorite characters, landscapes or even our own drawings. We did it without judging the result, focusing solely on the pleasure of coloring.

Due to the advantages of practicing this activity, a large number of art therapists design mandala coloring books for adults, as they know its many extraordinary benefits. Coloring these geometric drawings  helps us reduce stress, achieve a state of calm, focus on the here and now and above all, connect with ourselves.

By coloring mandalas we make a journey towards our essence, illuminating areas of ourselves that until then had remained hidden. In this way, we allow the wisdom of our unconscious to emerge.

Mandalas and their history

Mandalas are geometric figures that have many variations  and that appear in practically all cultures. They have their origin in India and their literal translation is ‘sacred circle’. They are a symbol of healing, wholeness, union and integration.

In many cultures, drawing and coloring mandalas is a spiritual ritual that facilitates “inner enlightenment. ” However, for Carl Jung, one of the most important Swiss psychiatrists in history, the circular figures offered a healing effect that gave peace and tranquility.

The mandalas can vary in color and design, but basically they are formed by a center and different figures in the four cardinal points. In this way, it is believed that on a psychological level they can represent the totality of our being. According to some defenders of this practice, each person responds to them instinctively, regardless of their age, gender, race, culture …

The magic of mandalas, and at the same time their therapeutic power, consists in letting ourselves be carried away by the unconscious, without worrying about the final result of the drawing. That is, without judging whether it is looking good or bad, beautiful or ugly … We just need to be present and focused, giving us freedom to color as we want.

Coloring mandalas is not for children

Coloring is an activity that we usually associate with childhood. As we become adults, we put away colored pencils and markers, except to underline notes or reports. However, this hobby can be very beneficial as we have seen previously.   Not only because it generates well-being and tranquility, but also because it stimulates different brain areas related to motor skills, the senses and creativity.

Despite what we may have learned in our lives about art and color, there is no right or wrong way to color. One of the positive aspects of painting is that it is very easy for everyone, even if they lack artistic training or experience in the subject.

In this way, coloring can be considered an act of meditation in itself  because it helps us to focus our thoughts on the activity we are carrying out and to connect with our creativity. In moments everything vanishes and only we are present with the colors and the drawing.

Many studies have shown the positive effects of mandala coloring on the human psyche. Psychologists and art therapists recommend this activity and even practice it, experiencing its benefits in the first person. That is why adult coloring books are such a bestseller.

For people who want to enjoy the benefits of this activity, they should know that  coloring mandalas also helps us connect with our inner child. Therefore, if you feel that you need extra help to manage stress or anxiety, do not hesitate to practice this type of exercise.