Color Your Mind

Published in 2017 by Blue Star Press PO Box 5622 Bend, OR 97708 contact@bluestarpress.com www.bluestarpress.com By supporting us, you support the good causes we support, so don’t reproduce or copy any part of this book in any way, including photocopy, picture or scanned file without our permission. If you find this material helpful and want to share it, send us an email at the address above and let us know how we can be of service.

Illustrated by Brita Lynn Thompson @zenspiredesigns www.zenspiredesignsetsy.com Designed by Chris Ramirez © 2017 Maria Shriver ISBN: 978-1944515485 All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America.

Photography used under license from Shutterstock.

Disclaimer: This book is for general informational purposes only, and the information within is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any medical disease. The information is provided with the goal of improving quality of lives without any representations or warranties, expressed or implied.

Neither the author nor publisher make any representations or warranties in relation to the information within this book.

If you have any specific questions about any medical matter, think you may be suffering from any medical condition, or before beginning any treatment, exercise or diet program or starting any treatment for a health issue, you should consult with a licensed professional healthcare provider.

Notes for caregivers, family, and Friends

Color Your Mind is a ground-breaking book filled with both information and inspiration. This project was undertaken with great love and a deep sense of hope and purpose. Created with insights from caregivers, neurologists, psychologists, and, of course, people with Alzheimer's, it is written as a resource for caregivers, family, and friends to help forge communication and connection with people with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia.

Coloring is a creative outlet, a way to relieve stress, and even a way to connect with other people—all benefits that contribute to overall well-being. Yet, Color Your Mind is more than just a coloring book! Throughout this book, you will find coloring pages, activity suggestions, and ideas for shared reflection and conversation. This book is unique in that it connects coloring with helpful information surrounding well-being, social connection, nutrition, exercising the body, moving the mind, and sleep—all valuable lessons for a fulfilling, balanced life.

three things to know 1

This book is written for caregivers, family, and friends to use to connect with their loved one, finding joy and closeness in a shared activity or conversation. I hope it helps you to create new memories to cherish!

2

Coloring is an inherently fun, calming activity. People with Alzheimer's should feel empowered to begin any page at any time, coloring only until they no longer feel like it.

3

If your loved one cannot remember certain things, please be patient. Some of the most profound conversations with my father came out of nowhere; it’s important to just hang in there.

Organizational overview The six chapters focus on topics that influence quality of life and brain health.

Well-Being

Social Connection

Nutrition

Move Your Mind

Exercise

Sleep

Found at the beginning of each chapter, “Maria’s Tips” provide personal insight and inspiration.

Each chapter opens with a topical overview that explores a way to encourage wellness and healthy living for people with Alzheimer’s.

Tips for time together Learn, teach, and color with your loved one.

Every coloring page is accompanied by a relevant piece of information for you to share with your loved one.

CREATE prompts provide easy-to-follow instructions for the coloring activity.

CONNECT prompts go a step further, with suggestions for activities and ways to connect with others.

Treat Yourself

Although it’s true that food is meant to nourish, it is also meant to be enjoyed!

It’s perfectly natural to want to indulge or seek out “comfort food” from time to time. Here is a secret, though: some “treats” can also be healthy!

Consider dark chocolate. Mmmm. Not only is it delicious, but studies have shown that when eaten in moderation, dark chocolate can improve mood, concentration, learning, and memory! Dark cocoa contains beneficial antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. Patients should check with their doctor or dietician; he or she can help to determine ideal treats.

Create Enjoy a favorite treat and color the sweet design on the next page.

Connect Treats are sweeter when they are shared! If you are enjoying chocolate, offer a piece to a friend! Better yet, together with your caregiver, find a healthy recipe and bake something tasty together.

reflect What treats do you enjoy? Have you ever received a sweet treat as a gift? What was the occasion?

REFLECT prompts focus on “yesteryear,” with questions that may help to evoke memories from long ago.

The level of complexity in the colorable designs in this book ranges from simple to moderately complex.

Regardless of the level, here are two examples of how to approach coloring the designs in this book.

The Color Wheel Color surrounds us from morning to night, present in every conceivable way.

Warm colors like yellows, oranges, and reds may suggest intense feelings of energy or passion. Cool colors like blue and purple are associated with calmness, or creativity. Many people are strongly drawn to specific colors.

Color can be surprisingly powerful! The bright, friendly colors featured throughout this book were chosen intentionally to convey a feeling of cheerfulness and fun.

Caregivers, family, and friends can guide their loved one to select from the color wheel to color the words on the following page. Or, choose any other colors he or she is drawn to!

Yellow Green

Orange

Blue

Red Violet

After reviewing the color wheel, you’re ready to put it to use! Caregivers, family members, or friends can encourage their loved one with Alzheimer’s to mimic the colors in the vibrant butterfly while coloring the image on the following page. Enjoy the relaxing, rewarding experience of coloring your first image!

Well Being TO LIVE WELL IS AN ART—one that is influenced by the cultivation of daily habits and practices that can enrich one’s life. While some stress in life is inevitable, research tells us that chronic stress can be damaging to our physical and psychological health. Thankfully, many of the effective tools for coping with mental and physical stress are likewise practices that promote well-being.

This chapter focuses on the various facets of well-being: the importance of maintaining a positive attitude, of practicing gratitude, of learning throughout one’s life, and of having a daily routine.

Write It Down!

Writing a note to yourself is a powerful, yet simple practice. You can make a list of things you’re thankful for. You can make note of something you would like to learn.

Or, you can jot a reminder note to help you maintain a routine!

Alzheimer’s Disease and other dementias affect the person who is diagnosed; however, the family and friends who share in this experience are also profoundly impacted. To people with Alzheimer’s and those who love and care for them: You are not alone! You have my support—and that of so many others—to accompany you on this journey.

We are both the givers and recipients of love throughout our lives. When we remain patient, open, and receptive, we can experience connection and love in so many different ways.

Create Color the image on the following page. Think of the many people who love and care for you. When you have finished coloring, you may want to hang this picture in your room as a reminder that you are loved, and that you are not alone!

CONNECT Have a conversation or write a letter to someone you care about. What things would you like to tell them?

reflect What are some ways you have shown extraordinary care and love for others in your life?

Acquiring a skill or taking up a new hobby is a great way to keep the mind active and to keep life fresh and interesting. It’s alright to start slowly; improvement will come with time and practice!

1

2

3

Blue

Green

Violet

Create As you begin to color, the color-by-number image on the following page is a good warm-up activity. Simply use the colors that correspond with the numbers to get started.

Connect Trying new things and exploring different activities are excellent ways to keep your brain active. These interests also offer opportunities to connect with other people.

What are some of your interests and hobbies that can be shared with others? Do you know anyone who may enjoy coloring with you?

reflect What were some of your interests and hobbies when you were a young person?

Were these consistent throughout your life, or did you develop new interests?

A positive attitude impacts our lives, and the lives of those around us. Life can be full of challenges, but difficult times often reveal profound lessons. Though sometimes easier said than done, a conscious decision to focus on the positive will help us to recognize beauty and grace in our lives and move forward through even the most trying times.

Create As you color the image on the following page, think about who and what adds joy and happiness to your life.

Connect What life experiences have you had when a positive attitude made a difference?

reflect What are some other important life lessons you have learned?

MOVE YOUR MIND WITH COLOR Color Your Mind is a ground-breaking book filled with both information and inspiration. This project was undertaken with great love and a deep sense of hope and purpose. Created with insights from caregivers, neurologists, psychologists, and, of course, Alzheimer’s patients, it is written as a resource for caregivers, family, and friends to help forge communication and connection with people with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia.

Coloring is a creative outlet, a way to relieve stress, and even a way to interact with other people–all benefits that contribute to overall well-being. But, Color Your Mind is more than just a coloring book!

Throughout this book, you will find coloring pages, activity suggestions, and ideas for shared reflection and conversation. This book is unique in that it connects coloring with helpful information surrounding facets of a fulfilling, balanced life: well-being, social connection, nutrition, exercising the body, moving the mind, and sleep. These can be relevant for everyone, regardless of their age or phase of life!

with Focus on six key Topics For brain health

Well-Being

Social Connection

Nutrition

Exercise

Move Your Mind

Sleep

MARIA SHRIVER Maria Shriver is the mother of four, a Peabody and Emmywinning journalist and producer, a six-time New York Times best-selling author, and an NBC News Special Anchor reporting on the shifting roles, emerging power and evolving needs of women in modern life.

She creates socially conscious television, books, films and digital media with the purpose of informing, inspiring and igniting hearts and minds in discussions that produce positive impacts in the world.

USD $12.99 ISBN 9781944515485

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