Lately, I’ve noticed that there has been a significant influx of adult colouring books centred around mindfulness, lining the shelves of stores around town. Considering that just a few months ago colouring was considered predominantly a children’s play activity, this new trend has sparked great interest (and high sales) among the adult population.
According to the author of Colouring for Mindfulness, Emma Farrarons “working with your hands is one of the best ways to soothe anxiety and eliminate stress. Colouring offers a practical exercise in mindfulness that draws on your creativity and hones your focus”.
Bachelor of Social Science student Donna Peters agrees in the therapeutic benefits, stating that “I do love the colouring-in books and believe that they can be really relaxing, and could definitely help take the mind off the pressure of exams”.
Exercise is also cited as a key means of achieving sound mental health and assisting in the ultimate goal of mindfulness. CSU Social Science student Mrs Peters agrees once again, stating “exercise is one of the best ways to release stress i think – it could be anything from a gentle walk to a rigorous boxing session – I definitively think exercise is the way to go!”.
Another great way to assist in achieving this sense of calm (especially during this high pressure time of the semester) is through meditation. There are a number of fantastic modern resources available online that are very simple to use.
Smiling Mind is a downloadable App for Android or iPhone that offers free guided meditations written by psychologists, designed especially for young adults (16-25 years). This app is fantastic for managing stress and helping to relax during times of high pressure (need I remind you exams start on 19 October!).
The CSU services and student support team have created several meditation podcasts, including the one below for relaxation and mindfulness. So pop on your headphones, sit up straight, close your eyes and have a listen – I promise you’ll feel on top of the world in just a few minutes!
