Adult coloring books are really helping people. They’re meditative, relaxing and can remind us of simpler times—you know, when we were all children whose biggest worries in the world were monsters under the bed. Not illness, finances or being out of work during these times of crisis. Our interest in them may have started back when we were kids, doodling away in preschool, but adults started reopening coloring books in 2013, according to experts, when Scottish author Johanna Basford published Secret Garden: An Inky Treasure Hunt and Colouring Book, began showing up on bestseller lists. By 2015, 12 million adult coloring books were sold, while in 2014, only 1 million were sold, according to Nielsen Bookscan. And the craze has been consistent since then. And it’s no coincidence. There’s real science that says coloring books have benefits for adults. “Adult coloring requires modest attention focused outside of self-awareness,” Cleveland Clinic reports. “It is a simple activity that takes us outside ourselves. In the same way, cutting the lawn, knitting, or taking a Sunday drive can all be relaxing.” Flip through our gallery of 30 of the best adult coloring books to find your perfect match. And the best part is, you don’t have to leave the house to get your hands on them! If you feel your marriage is suffering because of social distancing, these six marriage tips about getting through the coronavirus quarantine should help.
