When stressed, some find it relaxing to listen to music, squeeze a stress ball, do a few yoga poses, or go for a run. However, in the past couple years, more people have been taking advantage of a new stress-relieving trend: adult coloring books.

As of Jan. 24th, 2016, five of the top ten bestsellers on Amazon are adult coloring books—but they are not exactly a new fad.  According to Laura Marsh in a New Republic article, the first adult coloring book was published in 1961, featuring disturbing and sarcastic descriptions of daily life.

Today, though, they range from calming ocean scenes to pictures of animals and baked goods. The first of recent adult coloring books caught on in Europe and quickly spread to the rest of the world. One of the most popular books was released in 2013 by Johanna Basford, called “Secret Garden: An Inky Treasure Hunt and Coloring Book.” Since its publication, over 2 million copies have been sold.

“It’s a great way to relieve stress after a long day at work or class,” Noelle Johnson, an SMSU student majoring in Elementary Education said. “It’s also nice to have something to do when you’re just watching a TV show or something.”

Adult coloring books form a creative outlet for those who may not feel they are artistic or good at art. In addition, the satisfaction one feels from completing a page may be similar to the feeling of finishing a work of art.

Even the American Art Therapy Association (AATA) has made a statement supporting the use of coloring books for de-stressing and self-wellness.

“Coloring is an active process that can serve as a practice of externalizing focus and redirecting individuals who are pre-occupied in unhealthy internal dialogue,” their statement reads.

In a 2012 study done by Renée van der Vennet and Susan Serice, coloring mandalas (popular in many adult coloring books) was proven to reduce anxiety levels. Participants measured their anxiety levels using the State Anxiety Inventory after coloring mandalas, plaid, and plain designs. The results showed that coloring a mandala significantly reduced stress compared to plain and plaid designs.

Despite its benefits, it is important to remember the seriousness of actual art therapy should not be compared with the results of coloring books, according to the AATA.

“Coloring books should not be confused with the creative process inherent in art-making that occurs in art therapy sessions . . . individuals may realize that certain images can tap into the internal experience of the artist in ways that evoke emotions or understanding. The trained art therapist might then guide individuals in focusing on those areas for therapeutic intervention.”

For most, though, coloring books are a great everyday solution for stress management, creativity cravings, or for curing boredom, and at a fairly low price tag. Most basic coloring books and colored pencil sets can be purchased for under fifteen dollars—quite friendly for a stressed out college student’s budget.