It’s not just kids who like to color. It’s a good stress reliever for anyone, even adults – and, as it turns out, especially hospital staff. In La Rabida’s Rehabilitation Department, the results have been re-marker-able.

Keir Mitchell, Director of Developmental and Rehabilitative Services here at La Rabida, introduced the stress management technique back in April as a way to encouragestaff to take a break from their busy days and re-center.

“It’s been a tough couple of years everywhere but particularly in healthcare,” Keir says. “I’m always looking for ways to help staff with resiliency, and putting up a coloring poster and markers seemed like a good way to take a brief break.”

The rehab staff took to it quickly, coloring an entire 4-foot poster in about a month. Each day, little by little, everyone takes a turn.

“The poster is relaxing when things are a bit hectic,” says Melody McDonald, the scheduler and accounts coordinator for Rehab Services.

The coloring posters have become the new “water cooler,” a central gathering place for staff to build morale and support each other.

They say they realize they need to recharge their own batteries so they can give the best care to their patients. “The poster is an awesome stress management technique that also helps support occupational performance,” La Rabida Occupational Therapist Maggie Sladick says. “It’s been a nice way to find pockets of my day to decompress and self-regulate whenever I need a minute or two.”

Staff showcasing the first finished poster