Five Reasons to Get Colouring

1) Brain Training

Le's get the science-y stuff out the way... Activities such as colouring forces your left and right hemispheres, of your brain, to work together; thus combining both logic and creativity. When colouring we are forced to concentrate and focus, our frontal lobe is stimulated which in turn improves motor function, organisation skills and problem solving. It works similarly to other brain training games such as cross word puzzles and sudoku.

2) Stress Therapy

Colouring can be seen as an alternative to traditional meditation. I'm a massive over-thinker and I sometimes find it impossible to switch off which of course, sends my stress levels through the roof. I find that within 15 minutes of colouring (no matter how stressed I am) all of a sudden, I am completely in the moment and my focus is entirely on the project at hand. This is a transferable skill that can aid you to help gain control of your stress. 

3) You're in Control

You wanna colour your elephant in green? Go for it... If you wanna colour a blue banana or an orange penguin. I fully support that! The best part about colouring is that it gives you free reign and the freedom to be yourself. It's not a competition, you don't have to stay within the lines and it doesn't have to be perfect. You never know, you may even surprise yourself!

4) Anxiety & Stress

Studies have shown there is a direct correlation between people who suffer with stress/ anxiety and how their symptoms improved when colouring. People suffering with anxiety and stress are kept in heightened states of worry, panic and other various symptoms. When colouring, you can be unknowingly transported back to a happier time when you used to do things simply for pleasure. For example, when you were a child with no responsibilities, you choose to do some colouring simply for the purpose of enjoyment. Focusing on a calming activity reduces focus from worry and panic, giving your brain a well deserved break.   

5) Technology Break

We're all guilty of picking up our phone too often, there's no denying that, it's easily done. Colouring gives you a break from social media, without even trying and I personally think that would do us all some good. Think about it, a break from comparing yourself to that blogger or those flawless beautiful women, or the guy with the successful job, or the person who's travelling all over the world, or that perfect relationship... the list goes on! Social media is a platform for competition and it's no wonder why so many people feel bad about themselves when they're constantly being fed photos and words about 'perfect' people with their 'perfect' lives. This could be a whole post on it's own but it's important to remember that people only show what they want you to see and they're just as insecure as you are, trust me. 

Disclaimer- Stress, anxiety and mental health issues are very serious and can have a threatening impact on the individuals life. These issues are not to be belittled or brushed aside and I am in no way, shape or form saying that these problems can be addressed and solved just by colouring. I'm simply saying colouring is an activity that can potentially help all of us in different ways. 

10 Ways To Feel More Positive

Aloha!

It's been a very grey couple of days and I'm at that point where I'm just feeling generally fed up and all I wanna do is see a bit of sunshine! Longer days, warm nights, an ice cold kopparberg ahh I long for you! And although I can see a little twinkle of summer on the horizon it's still a long way off yet so the cold melancholy days of England are still among us all. 

Okay so as you can see it's easy to moan, easy to dwell on situations, thoughts or feelings. It's easy to slip into that negative cycle; we've all been there and yeah sometimes it can be difficult to look on the bright side. We all have our daily struggles and personal battles but it's important to 'take a deep a breath' and focus on the bigger picture. So, in no particular order, below I've written a ten ways that might help when the going gets tough...

1. 'Let go'

My close friend Nicole once told me 'being angry at someone is like drinking poison and expecting them to die' and since that day I've been made more and more aware that If you're holding a grudge or dwelling on angry feelings towards someone the only person that will be affected is yourself. 

2. Don't compare yourself to others

Whether you're comparing beauty, talent, success or even relationships the end result will always be the same and you will always end up feeling bad about yourself. Focus on your own assets, ambitions and goals. I mean it's natural to feel envious of 'that girls hair' but don't let it get the better of you! 

3. Happiness is contagious

If you surround yourself with positive people it will rub off on you. Emotions are transferable so hanging out with negative people will drain you. Don't feel guilty for cutting out those who don't make you happy! Having positive influences and social networks will be sure to bring you up; smiles are infectious! 

4. Vent

In my eyes it's vital to speak to someone if you're feeling low. We all have anxiety about how someone might react or worry that they won't understand but talking to the right person can really lift a weight.

5. Don't feel bad
 If you try and please everyone you're sure to please no one. 

6. Be thankful for what you have
If everyone put their problems on a table and you all had a chance to pick up someone else's issues, I bet you'd take yours back. We're all guilty of forgetting how lucky we really are but when things are taking a turn for the worst, take a moment to appreciate the good things in life, it might not be so bad after all.

7. Schedule in 'me time'
Everyone needs time to themselves to relax. Get stuck in a new book, find a new hobby, watch 5 hours of Netflix while painting your nails or even just sit and reflect. It's important for your own well being and you'll thank yourself for it. 

8. Every day is a new day
Start every day fresh and try not to dwell on what happened yesterday. Every day is a new day and a new opportunity for something great to happen. Live each day to the fullest, you never know when it will be your last. 

9. Look at things from a different perspective
When we're thinking about a difficult situation it's easy for our mind to wonder and make it appear and feel worse than it really is. Trying to look at it from a different point of view will help you think logically.   

10. Hakuna Matata 
You know what they say about worrying... don't. When you see yourself in a tough situation ask yourself if it's something that's out of your control or is there something you can do about it? If there is something you can do to help the situation, think logically and write it down. If it's something that's out of your control try and find a way of accepting and adjusting to it.

''Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference''

Neeks x