The trendy “adult coloring” of yesteryear (as in, the 2010s), while marketed as a stress-relieving hobby, is actually anxiety-inducing for some. Opening up a blank coloring book to see a huge, intricate mandala with the finest lines a printer can handle is stressful. My mind is instantly overwhelmed: Where do I start coloring? Will I finish before it’s time for bed? Look at all these opportunities to mess the whole thing up!
I hated adult coloring for years, but I’ve recently been experiencing physical symptoms of stress and anxiety, so finding a relaxing outlet was a must. I tried meditation (not for me), morning yoga (I now know that I’m not a morning person), and even quitting coffee (another no).
One day, I opened Tiktok and saw a livestream of someone using alcohol markers to slowly color in a wonderfully uncomplicated drawing of a jellyfish. Watching the markers slowly move back and forth, perfectly filling in the bold picture with brilliant shades of pink and orange ink, I instantly felt at ease. Maybe adult coloring is OK. I bought a set of Ohuhu Alcohol Art Markers ($80) shortly after closing the stream.
I’m now convinced that the key to actually relaxing adult coloring is alcohol markers. Let’s dive in to learn more about what alcohol markers are, why using them is stress-relieving, and how you can get started.
Experts Featured in This Article
Marcus Smith, MA LCPC-S, is a licensed clinical professional counselor and the executive director at Alpas Wellness.
Halle Thomas, LPC, is a therapist specializing in anxiety at Chicory Counseling.
Jessica Plonchak, LCSW, LCADC, is the executive clinical director at ChoicePoint.
Jerry Poon is an award-winning painter and published illustrator.
What Are Alcohol Markers?
Although alcohol markers are sometimes referred to as artist markers, you don’t need to be a professional to use them. Alcohol markers are a popular tool for writing, drawing, and coloring because they’re easy to use, super pigmented, and they dry quickly. They have defined edges, which allows for stunning precision – coloring outside the lines should never be a big deal, but alcohol markers make filling them in easy. They’re so precise that you can even use them to practice your calligraphy skills.
Unsurprisingly, alcohol markers use alcohol ink, which suspends pigment in alcohol and results in the most vibrant colors. Most standard markers suspend pigments in water, which can create relatively dull colors and a streaky finish. Unlike water-based ink, alcohol ink dries quickly and it’s even blendable without leaving annoying streaks behind.
How Coloring With Alcohol Markers Reduces Stress
Coloring with alcohol markers (and coloring in general) has been shown to reduce stress and improve mental health. There are numerous studies that point to its mental health benefits, including one published in the Journal of Integrated Social Sciences in 2018 in which researchers found a significant decrease in stress among subjects after coloring for just 20 minutes.
There are several reasons mental health professionals recommend coloring with alcohol markers to reduce stress and anxiety in their patients.
Coloring Takes the Pressure Out of the Equation
Counselor Marcus Smith tells PS that one of the key ways coloring improves mental health is by removing the pressure of producing a perfect piece of art. “Instead,” he says, “the emphasis is on the process rather than the outcome, which can be incredibly freeing and therapeutic.”
Coloring Shifts Your Focus
Fellow overthinkers, this one’s for us. Coloring with alcohol markers is the perfect way to focus on the present moment instead of worrying about what’s for dinner later or stressing over your finances. The repetitive motions of gliding the marker back and forth on the page puts you in a sort of meditative state, encouraging relaxation.
Coloring Promotes Bilateral Brain Stimulation
Therapist Halle Thomas tells PS that the act of coloring engages both sides of your brain. Therapists use bilateral stimulation to regulate anxiety and trauma symptoms – it’s the basis behind trauma therapies like EMDR and brainspotting.
“Bilateral stimulation is what helps the brain to process and integrate memories and emotions. So if you’re feeling anxious, or struggling with trauma symptoms, sitting down to color can provide some regulation,” Thomas says.
Coloring Gives You A Sense of Accomplishment
Smith explains one major reason I personally love coloring with alcohol markers so much: the sense of accomplishment. “The act of creating something visually appealing can bring about a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction,” Smith says.
That sense of accomplishment only encourages you to keep coloring and, therefore, stress levels continue to plummet. Plus, looking at something beautiful that you created is a surefire way to feel good.
Coloring Allows for Non-Verbal Expression
If you have feelings to work out, coloring is a great way to explore and express them. Smith suggests art therapy, including coloring, as a way to vent, even when you don’t know what you’re venting about.
“It allows individuals to express themselves in ways that words may not always capture, providing a non-verbal outlet for emotions. Additionally, engaging in creative activities can stimulate the brain and encourage the development of new neural pathways, which can be beneficial for overall mental health,” Smith says.
Coloring Balances Your Hormones
Those who experience anxiety often have high cortisol levels. Excess cortisol, a stress hormone, can have negative health impacts including high blood pressure, weight gain, fatigue, heart disease, and much more. Social worker Jessica Plonchak tells PS that coloring can help. Plonchak says that “once the brain has relaxed, it significantly stabilizes hormones and allows for improvement in brain functioning.”
How to Get Started With Alcohol Markers
The best part about getting into coloring with alcohol markers is that the supplies you need to get started are minimal. All you need is a pack of alcohol markers and a pad of paper (or a coloring page).
There are several brands of alcohol markers to choose from, each with their own pros and cons and each at different price points. Depending on your budget, choose one or multiple brands to test out until you find the ones you like. Some of the top-rated brands include: Ohuhu, Copic, Prismacolor, and Caliart.
Most artists will recommend Copic because they’re high-quality and easy to use. However, Copics are expensive. So if you’re looking for an affordable dupe, go with Ohuhu alcohol markers or test out another brand with high customer ratings.
Caliart, Copic, and Ohuhu alcohol markers are refillable, meaning you don’t have to spring for a whole new set when your ink starts to dry out after using the markers for a while. This makes them cost-effective, even if you do splurge on the expensive versions, and less wasteful than other markers.
3 Tips for Using Alcohol Markers
Painter and illustrator Jerry Poon shares tips for beginners or hobbyists using alcohol markers.
- Choose the right paper. Poon suggests looking for smooth, non-porous paper, like marker paper or Bristol board. “These types of paper prevent the ink from bleeding and allow for smooth blending,” Poon explains.
- Start small and simple. “If you’re new to alcohol ink markers, start with simple designs to get a feel for how the ink flows and blends,” says Poon. Start with coloring books designed for markers. Bold and easy coloring books are great for meditative coloring.
- Care for your markers. “Proper care will extend the life of your markers. Always cap them tightly after use to prevent the ink from drying out. Store them horizontally to ensure even ink distribution,” advises Poon.
Lauren Murphy is the SEO updates coordinator at PS, where she focuses on optimizing content across verticals. Previously, she was a freelance writer and editor covering home and lifestyle content for brands including Forbes Home, Apartment Therapy, The Spruce, HuffPost, and more.
