Community

Adults who color can relieve stress, anxiety

Coloring isn’t just for kids, and research shows coloring offers plenty of mental benefits and has therapeutic potential to reduce anxiety and create focus.
“A lot of times, we don’t enjoy the pleasure that we had as a kid when we become an adult,” said Rwenshaun Miller, founder of Eustress Inc. “Coloring is a simple way that you can introduce self-care into your daily routine.”
Miller said that just like meditation, coloring allows us to switch off our brains from other feelings and concentrate only on the moment, helping to lessen anxiety. However, adult coloring has been shown to influence more than anxiety and can significantly lower levels of depressive symptoms.
Eustress Inc. has a space to unwind and connect as a community with ways to keep healthy mental health habits.
“We’re going to introduce some good stress,” Miller said.
On Tuesday, July 23, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., “Eustress In Color: Adult Coloring Night” will be held at Queens Coffee Bar, 1720 Pegram St., Charlotte.
Coloring books, crayons, markers and colored pencils will be provided free of charge, so attendees just tear out of sheet and start coloring.
Miller said not to hesitate to go alone and meet new people. You can network or just sit back and color for a couple of hours.
“It’s a great environment to meet people, relieve stress and just take care of you,” Miller said.
Eustress Inc. strives to raise awareness around a taboo topic of mental health: that many suffer alone on a day-to-day basis.
“We all have good days and bad days, but some may need help to make sure that their good ones outweigh the bad,” Miller said.
Miller has worked in the mental health field for over a decade and understands the challenges faced by individuals with limited resources. He tries to provide ways to address their needs.
If you have an inspiring story to share, email Kevin Campbell, public affairs manager at WSOC-TV/WAXN-TV/Telemundo Charlotte, at Kevin.Campbell@wsoctv.com.

PHOTOS: Eustress in Color: Adult Coloring Night