Stop what you're doing, I have incredible news: colouring in is no longer a toddler activity. I am proof - my friend brought me a colouring book for my birthday and to say I was ridiculously excited about it is an understatement. I even spent most of my lunch break looking for the perfect colouring pencils to go with said book because, y'know, I didn't want just any pencils (NB: they're really expensive in art shops, Amazon is your friend).
And I'm not the only one with a new colouring book addiction. Waterstones noticed a 300% rise in sales between Christmas 2013 and 2014 while Foyles had to increase their colouring book shelf space after demand increased. They're even big in France.
But what's so good about them? Well, apart from the fact that it's super fun and you'll feel seven again, apparently they help lower stress, increase calmness, focus the mind and enhance creativity. So really, why wouldn't you get a colouring book in your life ASAP? Here are my favourites.
Sweary Colouring Book, £10.75
The result of an epically successful Kickstarter, you can now pre-order the Sweary Colouring Book and, come mid-February, colour in profanities to your heart's content.
Swoon: The Heartthrob Activity Book, £9.98
Not into the idea of colouring in swirling, inanimate objects? Don't worry, this one is for you. Expect to see pictures of some of your fave male celebs. You can get your own back on them for not noticing you over the years (why do you hurt me so, Ryan?) by colouring them in green and drawing spots on them. So not childish.
The Mindfulness Colouring Book, £5.59
This one's designed specifically for mindfulness (i.e. to help your mind focus on. this. moment. right. now), plus it's pocket sized which means you can have a relaxing scribble wherever you are. Warning: attempting it on the bus will probably cause more stress than relaxation.
100 Mandalas for Mindfulness, £9.09
Mandala's have traditionally been used in meditation to help create calm feelings, hence their inclusion in colouring books. Settle in, because 100 mandala's is quite a few...
Secret Garden: An Inky Treasure Hunt and Colouring Book, £6.97
This one takes you on a journey through a secret garden. From scarecrows, to owls to intricate flowers, there's a bit of everything and you'll feel a bit like you're part of Alice In Wonderland.
Beautiful Patterns: Creative Colouring for Grown-ups, £6.99
This is what it says on the tin: just pages of really really pretty patterns if you're after something a bit more uniform, rather than following a story.
Millie Marotta's Animal Kingdom, £3.99
This is my favourite. Okay that might be because it's the only one I own, but trust me, the animal illustrations are just so incredible.
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This article originally appeared on The Debrief.