Studies

University students who colored pre‑drawn designs for ~20 minutes showed significant reductions in test anxiety, while control participants saw anxiety increase ScienceDirect+14PubMed+14ResearchGate+14.

Coloring repetitive patterns helps the mind enter a state of “flow” and mindfulness by focusing attention on simple, present‐moment sensory activity, reducing rumination and stress Verywell Mind+1PMC+1.

Wave-line writing or coloring shares features with these structured activities: predictable motor flow, minimal cognitive demand, and visual rhythm—making it a plausible tool for emotional soothing and engagement.

There is credible evidence that structured art activities—including coloring and drawing—offer psychological and emotional benefits for older adults with Alzheimer’s or dementia. For elderly individuals, particularly those with memory or communication challenges, engaging with a simple, rhythmic activity like wave-line coloring may help improve mood, reduce anxiety, and support well‑being.

The curved, undulating motion may engage sensorimotor brain circuits involved in regulation, emotion, and mindfulness—aligning with the expressive therapies continuum and trauma-informed art therapy models wmpllc.org+2PubMed+2EBSCO+2Teen Vogue+1Reddit+1en.wikipedia.org

While not a replacement for professional help in cases of any seriousness, this technique can serve as a helpful, accessible self‑soothing tool you can use anytime.

In children and adolescents doing school‑based coloring, academic stress dropped significantly compared to control groups.

Broader research on art therapy supports that brief creative activity (including doodling, drawing, coloring) improves mood and reduces negative affect—even without artistic training ScienceDirect.