Hydrate, Move, Sleep, Color: The 4th Pillar of Everyday Wellness

When we think of wellness, we often picture three familiar pillars: hydration, movement, and sleep. Drink more water. Get your steps in. Aim for eight hours of rest. These essentials form the foundation of a healthier, happier life.

But there’s a fourth pillar that doesn’t get nearly enough attention: coloring.

It may sound surprising at first—how could filling in pages with color belong in the same category as drinking water or sleeping well? Yet more and more research, along with real-life experiences, shows that coloring can be just as vital for supporting mental and emotional well-being. (Mantzios & Giannou, 2018)

Why Coloring Deserves a Place in Wellness Routines

Coloring is more than a pastime. It’s a mindful practice that combines creativity, focus, and relaxation in one simple activity. Here’s why it deserves recognition as the “4th pillar”:

💯 Stress Reduction

Coloring activates the parts of the brain that help quiet the mind. Like meditation, it pulls your attention into the present moment, giving you a break from worries and racing thoughts.

💯 Mental Fitness

Just as movement strengthens muscles, coloring strengthens cognitive flexibility. Choosing colors, following patterns, and experimenting with design keeps the brain active in playful ways.

💯 Emotional Balance

Coloring helps process feelings, especially those that are difficult to put into words. Many adults report feeling calmer, lighter, or even energized after a short coloring session.

💯 Accessibility and Joy

Unlike other wellness tools that may require equipment or special settings, coloring is inexpensive, portable, and accessible to nearly everyone. A box of pencils and a book can open the door to a healthier mindset.

Integrating coloring into daily life

Wellness habits don’t have to be complicated. You already know to drink water with meals, stretch after sitting too long, and keep a consistent sleep routine. Adding coloring can be just as seamless:

🌅Morning reset: Start the day with five minutes of coloring before checking your phone or email.

🌤️ Afternoon pause: Use coloring as a midday reset to combat fatigue or mental clutter.

🌃Evening wind-down: Swap a few minutes of screen time for coloring to prepare your mind for restful sleep.

Think of it as a form of active rest, something you do that restores your energy rather than drains it.

A Lifestyle built on balance

Hydration fuels the body. Movement keeps it strong. Sleep restores it. Coloring nourishes the mind and spirit. Together, these four pillars create a balanced foundation for everyday wellness.

Wellness isn’t just about what we do for our bodies; it’s about caring for the whole self. And sometimes, the simplest tools—like a page, a pencil, and a splash of color—can have the most powerful impact.

Hydrate, move, sleep, color. These simple practices can transform your everyday wellness. And if you’re looking for a place to start, our Mandala Coloring Book Series offers the perfect way to blend creativity and mindfulness into your routine. Small moments, big impact—wellness, lived in full color.