Coloring as a Communication Tool

Introduction

Last time, we discussed the basics of the effects of coloring on the mind and brain. This time, I would like to delve deeper into the potential of coloring, particularly as a "communication tool," focusing on practical examples from actual nursing care settings.

The Power of Coloring to Ease Loneliness

One of the biggest challenges faced by people moving into nursing care facilities is "loneliness." Being separated from the relationships and places one has built over many years and having to adapt to a new environment is a major stressor for anyone.

In particular, life in a facility often presents situations where one is prone to feeling lonely, such as:
- Decreased opportunities to meet long-time friends and acquaintances
- Separation from a familiar environment
- Anxiety about building new relationships
- Frustration from not being able to live at one's own pace

This kind of loneliness is not just a feeling of "being lonely"; it can lead to insomnia, depression, and sometimes even a decline in cognitive function. In fact, there are many who complain that they feel like they are "going to have a nervous breakdown."

Case Study: Changes Brought About by Coloring

Here, I would like to introduce a practical case study.

A resident who moved into a facility felt a strong sense of loneliness because they "no longer had anyone to talk to." Although there were people to chat with about things like the seasons, they had not reached the point of building deep relationships and were struggling with this barrier. They were in such a mentally cornered state that they would start crying, especially at night.

So, we tried an approach using coloring. I talked about the "brain activation" and "mental relaxation effects" I mentioned last time, and we started coloring together.

Surprisingly, the resident's facial expressions began to change gradually after they started coloring. Conversations naturally emerged while choosing colors or coloring pictures depicting items from their memories, and their smile returned. It can truly be said that they began to spend their time "like a different person."

How Coloring Generates Communication

Why does coloring act as a bridge for communication like this? There are several reasons for this:

1. Psychological Safety of Collaborative Work
- Psychological burden is reduced by working while facing the same direction rather than facing each other to talk
- Even if the conversation stops, it is accepted as a natural silence

2. Natural Emergence of Topics
- Memories naturally arise from the pictures
- You can start with light conversation, such as "I wonder if I should use this color"

3. Activation of Non-Verbal Communication
- Non-verbal interactions such as smiles, surprise, and color choices are richly generated
- It becomes a place for sharing emotions without relying on words

4. Building an Equal Relationship
- It becomes a creative activity that transcends the relationship of caregiver and care receiver
- A relationship of acknowledging each other's work is naturally born

For More Effective Coloring Communication

Here are some points for utilizing coloring more effectively as a communication tool:

1. Selecting Pictures Tailored to Personal History
- Choose pictures related to the resident's life experience, occupation, or hobbies
- Example: School scenes for a former teacher, rural landscapes for someone involved in agriculture, etc.

2. Ingenuity in Encouraging Conversation
- Rather than closed questions like "What color will you make this?"
- Use questions that draw out memories, such as "What kind of flower do you think this looks like?"

3. Development as a Group Activity
- Natural interaction is born by doing coloring in small groups of 2-3 people
- Display completed works within the facility to create opportunities for further conversation

4. Combination with Storytelling
- Think of short stories related to the coloring picture together
- Example: "What kind of people do you think live in this landscape?"

Especially Effective in Dementia Care

In dementia care, coloring has an even more special meaning:

- Anchoring to the Present
For people with dementia who tend to get confused between the past and the present, coloring has the effect of focusing consciousness on the "here and now"

- A Place for Non-Verbal Self-Expression
Even those who have difficulty expressing themselves in words can express emotions through their choice of colors and how they color

- Opportunity for Active Participation
In a daily life that tends to be passive, it becomes an opportunity to choose and create for oneself

New Initiative: Collaboration with the "Spinning Thoughts" Series

I am currently writing a short story series called "Spinning Thoughts" based on my actual experiences in nursing care facilities. I have also started a new initiative that combines this novel with coloring:

1. Recreating a scene from the novel as a coloring page
2. Creating stories from conversations born from the coloring
3. A project to create stories and coloring pages together with residents

Through these initiatives, I aim for creative care that "spins" the person's life and thoughts, rather than just killing time.

Conclusion

Coloring holds potential that goes beyond mere hobby activities or brain training. Especially in nursing care settings, it becomes a valuable tool that acts as a bridge for communication, eases loneliness, and fosters new relationships.

The simple act of "coloring" actually connects people and creates new stories—I would like to continue exploring the infinite possibilities of coloring like this.

Next time, I plan to share about the collaboration with the "Spinning Thoughts" series and the writing process of the actual short stories. Please look forward to it.