Adult coloring books can quiet the mind, say experts

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Remember when coloring books were for kids?

Not anymore.

Now, many people are hooked on coloring books for adults.

Experts say the coloring really can relax your brain, by taking you away from daily worries.

If you're feeling stressed, it can distract you, yet keep your brain engaged.

"They're somewhat intricate, so you have to pay attention to what you're doing, as opposed to getting pre-occupied with other things. you're accomplishing something, so when you're done, you have something to show for it," says Joseph Rock, Psy.D., of the Cleveland Clinic.

That can be rewarding, too, in these days when so many of us work in the virtual world, on computers.

If coloring books don't appeal to you, Dr. Rock says activities like crossword puzzles, cross-stitch, quilting, and even shooting hoops work, too