Now more than ever we all need some form of escapism and we often rely on technology to do so. But we think it’s worth exploring different ways of unwinding… There are loads of online platforms where you can download beautiful colouring pages or even tackle a brain strengthening crossword puzzle. Read on for some of our favourites!
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Why colour in?
Colouring in used to be considered a childhood pastime. But we’ve seen how colouring in for adults has gained huge traction over recent years, with many touting the wonderful mental health benefits it can have.
And it appears to be a proven fact. Psychology researchers at the University of Otago in New Zealand conducted a study on the effect of colouring books on our mental health. The research included testing 115 women and found that those assigned a week of colouring in tasks showed lower levels of depression and anxiety, and higher levels of mindfulness.
Why do crossword puzzles?
Crossword puzzles have many benefits contributing to strengthened cognitive ability. Completing crossword puzzles regularly can improve memory and brain function in old age.
In an article in the Wall Street Journal, researcher Ann Luktis stated that activities like crossword puzzles can “improve mental functions in patients with brain damage or early dementia.”
But apart from strengthening your cognitive abilities, you’re improving your verbal skills too. Crossword puzzles challenge us in that we have to expose ourselves to reading wider than we’re used to. This is so that we increase our vocabulary. We also forge paths in our brain to be able to start thinking more creatively. And as another bonus, crossword puzzles can act as a great bonding exercise when solved with a group. Rally your family around and get solving!
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Here is a list of our favourite online sources…
1. Supercoloring.com
Although beautiful colouring pages are only a Google search away, we love this website as they have a wide variety of styles that are easy to download. All you need for hours of endless colouring is a printer, colouring pens, and some creativity. There is a wide selection of famous paintings like the works of Salvador Dali and Andy Warhol in colouring page form.
2. Quotes and inspiring designs
This blog has great designs if you want to get creative and be inspired at the same time. All the colouring pages have been custom-designed and prove to be great fun to have pinned up on boards and walls around your home. There’s even a set of notes that you can colour-in and use as surprise messages of care for your family!
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3. Colorfy
This form of colour therapy is available as an app for both Apple and Android devices. The app has a wide selection of designs to choose from, and you could even import your own drawings into the app to colour in. It’s also quote user-friendly and makes getting into small spaces quite easy by zooming in to specific areas you choose to colour-in.
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4. Wordscapes
A crossword puzzle app with a difference. This game requires you to come up with words based on a continually changing group of letters. It’s as fun as it is challenging.
5. Boatload Puzzles
This website provides an easy entry into the world of crossword puzzles. There are 1000’s of puzzles to complete online making sure you up your confidence and vocabulary before you decide to move on to something a little more challenging.
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By Features Writer Andrea Cresswell
