On Tuesday, Feb. 20th, the New Living Center Resident Assistant team hosted an adult coloring night. Sophomores Julie Coffey, Garrett Shoemaker, Junior Kaylie Reese, and Seniors Taylor Evans, Ben Stubblefield and Abby Halstead planned the event to help their residents with stress relief.

According to the Mayo Clinic Health System, coloring is good for your health for many different reasons. Coloring helps promote mindfulness and staying in the moment. When an individual focuses on coloring and coloring alone, they can shut off the world around them. This can aid in recognizing the little things and leaving the stressful outside world behind.

Coloring can also give students a sense of control. Filling in a picture however an individual wants can be freeing. They can choose what colors, where to color, when the page gets finished and if it ever does need to be finished. Along with this idea, coloring can help students embrace imperfections. While an individual colors, they can let go of any expectations they have. Coloring is such a nonjudgmental, calming activity that anyone can enjoy.

College can be stressful, and it can be essential for students to take mindful breaks for stress relief. The New Living Center RA staff are planning a Sherbert and Safe Sex night for their next event March. 12. Another upcoming stress relief event is Zen Stem. New Living Center residents will have the opportunity to grow Zen gardens in Petri dishes for a calming night focusing on reducing stress, and building something that is fully their own.

Follow Baker University’s Residence Life Instagram account for more updates at @bu_reslife.