Need a creative outlet? A constructive way to relieve stress? Try coloring books.

A new article on Domtar’s (Montreal, Que., Canada) website reports that many adults are returning to the carefree coloring pages of their youth and driving a market for adult-targeted coloring books, many of which are printed on Domtar paper. 

You can find adult coloring books at virtually every store, from the craft store to the grocery store to the local drug store, Domtar points out. In fact, adult coloring books are selling so well that several titles appear on Amazon’s best-seller list.

What’s behind the trend? Coloring — whether with crayons, colored pencils, pens, markers, or even paint — is a fun and creative activity for all ages. But research has shown that it also reduces stress by activating both the left (analytical) and the right (creative) sides of the brain. 

Carl Jung, the Swiss psychologist who founded the practice of analytical psychology based on his research in the first half of the 20th century, was among the first to study the connection between artistic expression and a positive change in mental and emotional state.

Domtar’s Raine Mercer writes about the benefits of coloring and her own enthusiasm for the pastime in her recent post on the Blueline blog.