Photo: Mint Owl
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While many would consider “coloring” an activity reserved for children, some psychologists believe that coloring books can actually help adults relieve stress. It requires focus to color within the lines of an intricate pattern or picture, which in turn allows you to stay in the moment and forget about any worries you might have. Adult coloring books can also encourage creativity, imagination, and bring us back to those childhood moments when your most difficult decision might have involved a choice between the pink or red crayon.
We’ve compiled a list of some of the best adult coloring books that are just perfect for taking a time-out from a busy lifestyle. The selection includes nature-themed books such as Johanna Basford’s illustrated Enchanted Forest Journal and The Art of Nature book, filled with 60 vintage botanical drawings. For art-lovers, the Outside the Lines coloring book features the work of over 100 contemporary artists to which you can add your own colorful modifications. Nostalgia-loving colorists will love the 1990s-themed coloring book, complete with totally rad Walkman, Tamagotchi, and rollerblade illustrations. And for those of you who could benefit from some giggle therapy, the Unicorns Are Jerks coloring book is full of hilarious illustrations “Exposing the Cold, Hard, Sparkly Truth.”
When was the last time you took some time out to de-stress? If you can’t remember, perhaps you could benefit from one of these adult coloring books.
Fantastic Cities: “A Coloring Book of Amazing Places Real and Imagined.”
Steve McDonald | $29.95
Outside the Lines: “An Artists’ Coloring Book for Giant Imaginations.”
Souris Hong-Porretta | $12.22
Vive Le Color! Japan
Abrams Noterie | $0.99
Vogue Colors A to Z: “A Fashion Coloring Book.”
Valerie Steike | $11.52
The 1990s Coloring Book: “All That and a Box of Crayons (Psych! Crayons Not Included.)”
James Grange | $8.35
Johanna Basford’s Enchanted Forest Journal
Johanna Basford | $15.95
Tattoo-Inspired Coloring
Parragon Books | $8.96
A Cozy Coloring Cookbook: “40 Simple Recipes to Cook, Eat & Color.”
Adrianna Adarme and Amber Day | $9.48
Mid-Century Modern Mania: “30 Original Illustrations To Color, Customize, and Hang.”
Jenn Ski | $9.70