COLOURING in has been a children's activity for generations and recently has made the transition to an adult activity for creativity and destresssing.
Now colouring in is being used at the Villa Maria Catholic Homes St Bernadette' aged care residence in Sunshine North but with no emphasis on colouring inside the lines.
In fact the program apty entitiled Outside the Lines stresses there is no right or wrong way to colour in, as long as you enjoy it.
Lifeastyle coordinator Shantelle Kemp said the benefits of colouring in were varied. "It can be used as a de-stressor from everyday life, as it has been proven to slow down parts of the brain that cause stress and helps the body produce a calming effect," she said.
"It also promotes coordination and fine motor skills and some psychologists believe colouring in allows for creativity and can help people remember positive childhood memories."