Colouring Resource Manual. A resource for aged care professionals. Food Glorious Food

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Jennifer Jordan
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1 Colouring Resource Manual A resource for aged care professionals Food Glorious Food Birgit Heaney Dip. 18/11/2015

2 Colouring in is not only for children The healing power of Art Art or colouring may not be able to cure disease, but it can go a long way to assisting to cope with things that may seem overwhelming, and difficult to put into words. Research has shown that this form of therapy often has tangible results. For example, one study found that mindless art therapy for women with cancer helped to significantly decrease symptoms of physical and emotional destress during treatment. Art therapy is also helpful among people dealing with a variety of other conditions such as depression, anxiety and dementia. Colouring sessions are very beneficial as they increase: The ability to communicate Practice self expression Social interaction through sharing of experiences Feelings of belonging and togetherness The individual identity and unique experiences of each person It encourages older people to regain interest in past times and hobbies. It encourages creativity. It increases self worth and provides a sense of achievement. It alleviates depression. It increases life satisfaction. It helps older people deal with crises. It is involvement in a meaningful and pleasurable activity and positive interaction.

3 What s going on when we colour? Considering the inability to focus is often a symptom of anxiety or stress, it only makes sense that adult colouring books would also be helpful. Dr Stan Rodski, a neuropsychologist, says that coloring elicits a relaxing mindset, similar to what would be achieved through meditation. Like meditation colouring allows us to switch off our brains from thoughts and focus on the moment. Tasks with predictable results, such as colouring or knitting, can be calming. Rodski was able to see the physical effects they had on their bodies by using advanced technology. The most amazing things occurred we started seeing changes in heart rate, changes in brainwaves, he told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, adding that part of this neurological response in colourists comes from the repetition and attention to patterns and detail associated with colouring. Dr. Joel Pearson, a brain scientist at the University of New South Wales in Australia presented a different explanation for the therapeutic effect: Concentrating on colouring an image may facilitate the replacement of negative thoughts and images with pleasant ones. You have to look at the shape and size, you have to look at the edges, and you have to pick a colour, Pearson told Nine MSN. It should occupy the same parts of the brain that stops any anxiety-related mental imagery happening as well. Adult colouring works similar to meditation and helps colourists block out negative thoughts. Resource: Photocopy as many pictures as required for your clients to colour in. Some are more complex than others to suit the different needs of your clients. You might like to do it as an intergenerational activity. When your clients have finished colouring the pictures, frame the final result and hang them to display the talents of your clients.

Mindfulness and Hypnosis

Mindfulness and Hypnosis with and Ron Siegel, Psy.D. December 8, 2018 To encourage a more whole person participation, clinicians have begun to use guided mindfulness meditations (GMMs) 2 These have proved