Why colouring-in books are the new therapy

The French, who know a thing or two about depression, are pioneering a new form of stress relief. So, adults felt-fip pens at the ready

If invitations to "Discover your inner creative" make your soul cry, look away now. Adult colouring-in books are now a thing, and craft-loving, artsy people the world over are regressing to the mental age of seven. When they're not playing Candy Crush or Flappy Bird, busy city-dwellers are turning to crayons and felt-tips for their soothing and therapeutic qualities. While in the past people had to wait until they had children to sneakily rediscover the joys of colouring-in, now you can proudly buy colouring books for yourself alone. In fact, why not colour in this copy of the Observer New Review? (Crayons not provided.) You might also enjoy the following.

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