The Mindfulness Colouring and Activity Book

The Mindfulness Colouring and Activity Book by Gill Hasson and Gilly Lovegrove
(Capstone, £8.99)

The concept of a colouring book for adults originally made me raise an eyebrow, but having received a copy of this title as a gift I now consider myself a true believer in their therapeutic qualities.

Hasson and Lovegrove have created a real winner with their handbag-sized book of wonders. I keep mine on me everywhere I go so I can doodle and colour when I’m feeling a bit restless.

It contains pages of Lovegrove’s beautiful illustrations, as well as word puzzles, origami and mazes. Some of the pictures have been left mostly blank so you can make your own patterns inside shapes; they call these zen doodles and while they’re not my favourite pages, they still offer me something to focus on to forget about what’s stressing me.

I find the book to be the most useful during my commute home. The other train passengers sometimes give me sideways glances to see what I’m doing, but I’m usually so engrossed in colouring in the lines that I don’t give it a second thought. It’s a great way to unwind after a long day at work and it stops me from dwelling on what happened at the office and what I need to do tomorrow and the rest of the week.

And I can’t complain about populating my desk with fun origami animals!
Molly Dyson, Features Writer, PA Life