Why Doodling Is Good for You
When was the last time you picked up a pen and unconsciously scribbled something on a notepad or shopping list? Did you fill the whole page? Doodling and colouring are a great way to unwind and have been proven to be healthy stress busters too. And of course, when you get creative with your own doodling or colouring designs, you could just end up producing a unique masterpiece deserving of a spot on canvas. Today on the blog we’re talking about the benefits of having a good old creative scribble, so grab some colouring pencils and join in!
It promotes mindfulness
You may remember a few years ago that adult colouring books were a big craze, with many ditching nights spent in front of the TV for a spot of colouring in instead. Research has actually shown that structured colouring of a geometric shape such as a mandala can help to reduce anxiety. This is thought to be because it encourages the brain to switch off and allows individuals to concentrate on the task in hand. Colouring is often described as a meditative activity for this reason.
Further research into the art of doodling, where you allow your mind to unconsciously be expressed on paper or by drawing on a tablet, indicates that doodling is not only stress relieving but could also help to boost memory and help to improve your focus. In fact, 26 of 44 US presidents are said to have been doodlers. We’ve talked about the mental health benefits of photography on the blog before and it seems there are plenty of potential benefits to colouring and doodling too.
It provides a creative outlet
As children, we’re encouraged to draw to explore our ideas and feelings but as an adult, this is something few of us make time for. Photography is a great creative outlet, but it doesn’t often allow you to sit, rest and take stock as you carry out the activity. If you’re stuck in a bit of a rut or simply want to explore new creative avenues that could be fed back into your photography work, doodling could help. Some artists even choose to combine their doodle and photography work to make their own surreal images in a completely new style. Now, doesn’t that sound fun/
It produces art
We’re firm believers that walls are there to be decorated. And while it’s lovely to have photographs up on display, colourful doodles can add a little something different to your décor. Whether you’re doodling on a theme or stick with particular shades to match up with your colour scheme, or even bring together your photographs and doodles as described above, bringing doodling into your downtime could leave you with some fantastic prints that you love.
Do you have the doodling or colouring bug? Perhaps you’ve taken part in a doodling project that you’ve found particularly inspiring? We’d love to hear about your doodling experiences, so leave us a comment below.