Adult coloring books are all the rage now, but there is science that explains the popularity of the trend: Coloring generates wellness and quietness, and stimulates different areas of our two cerebral hemispheres. The act of “staying between the lines” involves both logic when we color shapes, and creativity when choosing our colors.  Coloring incorporates the parts of the cerebral cortex that’s involved in vision and fine motor skills, while the relaxation it gives us lowers the activity of the amygdala, a basic part of our brain involved in controlling emotion affected by stress. One 2006 study found that mindfulness art therapy for women with cancer helped significantly decrease the symptoms of physical and emotional distress during treatment. Another study from the same year determined that after only one hour of art therapy, adult cancer patients of all ages “overwhelmingly expressed comfort” and a desire to continue with the therapy.

So go ahead, start coloring!  There are probably hundreds of adult coloring books on the market, but the one seen here offers 30 different dog breeds to color.  You can find it here.