The ongoing pandemic has largely impacted our mental health. The stringent social distancing norms and the constant fear of contagion before stepping out of the house have been undeniably hard to deal with. Once described as social beings, we are even beginning to forget how to carry a simple conversation. The continuous work-from-home cycle has left us thirsty for caffeine and hungry for recreation. While initially, people thought that working from home comes with comfort, it is now evident that most of us are turning less productive because of the grinding routines. Procrastination has made an unwelcome arrival in our lives.   

Mental health, directly and indirectly, affects our lives and relationships. It is as important as our physical health. Having a perfectly healthy body is of no use if we have a low and unhappy mindset. If we stop liking things we used to love doing, we lose our purpose and motivation in life.  

However, millennials have brought these issues to light by openly talking about the importance of a healthy mindset.  

But how are escape rooms making any difference to our mental health? People argue that they are just another source of live entertainment! How are they even related to improving our thought processes and intelligence? Keep reading this article to find out!  

What Happens in an Escape Room and How it Impacts you?  

What happens when you sign up for an escape room? Your first requirement is the presence of a team consisting of at least 2 to 8 members. So, you approach your friends, family, or colleagues to find out who is up for a unique and exciting challenge!  

Even the first step encourages the player to open a conversation with their loved ones. Communicating and getting in touch with people to build stronger bonds helps in forming positive interpersonal relationships. Therapeutic relationships encourage stable mental health.  

Decision-making  

Establishing and maintaining relationships is very important in our daily lives. It helps us know others better and realize that we are all different individuals with distinct perspectives, choices, and opinions.    

When team members deliberate on their choices for escape themes, they learn how to compromise and cooperate so that everyone is satisfied with the final decision.   

When we are around people who are willing to cooperate and compromise, we do the same for them. Biologically speaking, our brain releases serotonin, which modulates our mood positively and makes us pro-social.  

Competition  

When an escape enthusiast is locked up in the room, they are on edge with adrenaline rushing through their veins. They have a goal that has to be completed in under 60 minutes. They have a ticking clock and unforeseen obstacles in their path. It is when our competitive side reveals itself.   

Not only are the players motivated enough to solve the task at hand, but they are also committed to a bigger goal of escaping.  

Healthy levels of competition boost our self-esteem and enjoyment in life. It also stimulates our motivation to keep working hard.  

Motivation  

When commencing the hunt for the clues, we start moving around scour every nook and cranny. We might have moments when we feel like we can’t figure anything out. Our creativity dies down, making us feel uninspired. That is when you motivate yourself or seek inspiration among your teammates.  

Escape rooms challenge your insights about yourself. With only 60 minutes on the clock, the only thing that will help the players escape motivation and perseverance. Virtues like perseverance and endurance are the elements for a fulfilled life.  

Accepting Failure  

When you enter an escape room, the resolve of your team is to win and emerge victoriously. You put your best foot forward in every phase of the game. However, there still are escape games that might catch you off guard, and the odds of losing might become more lavish. Here you are exposed to the concept of trial and error.  

Winning gives you a sense of achievement, something we all love to hold on to. It makes us feel good about ourselves and improves our self-esteem.   

On the other hand, players are also encouraged to understand that it is okay to lose sometimes. Failure doesn’t mean you haven’t done well enough. Sometimes you win, sometimes you learn.   

Want some dopamine rush?  

Playing escape rooms advances your brain to release dopamine (the happy chemical). How? When your brain is deeply-rooted in solving a creative puzzle, areas of alertness and concentration are activated. When you finally reach your Aha! -moment, the sense of accomplishment puts you in a better mood. This chemical is also great for relieving stress and making you think more creatively.   

Book a mind-twisting escape room and experience the rush of dopamine!  

Escape Room Puzzles Can Improve Your Mood 

Confronting difficulties wherein you need to accumulate your brains and join mental aptitude with your colleagues can advance positive pressure, which is the thing that spurs you to win or develop yourself. The surge of adrenaline can trigger endorphins’ arrival, which can upgrade short memory and even fill in as a fantastic jolt of energy. 

Tackling the issues can convey more euphoric outcomes, wherein the feeling of fellowship, difficulty, and considerable achievement leads to satisfaction.

Conclusion  

While our mental health affects everything we do in our lives, what we do in our lives affects our mental health. Therefore, mental health is a two-way road, and one should always be prepared for a long journey.   

Engaging ourselves in exciting and immersive social activities enfolds a positive chain reaction. When we are happy and positive, we tend to work and organize better. When we collect better, we stay productive and well ahead of time.  

That is precisely what escape rooms provide you. We are put in an environment where socializing and coordination are one of the main requirements to win. They keep you happy and involved, hence improving your mental health.   

While escape rooms keep you pleased as punch, they also help you connect and develop meaningful bonds with people.  So, if you are planning on hosting a social activity with friends and family, ditch the cliché game nights and book an exciting escape room!