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Escape rooms are an increasingly popular activity these days, featuring in everything from weekend outings with family and friends to hosting team events and special occasions like birthday parties.

However, the nature of the experience - being placed in a specially themed room from which players have to “escape” within a set time limit - leads some to question whether it can trigger stress, anxiety, and claustrophobia.

In this blog post, we’ll discuss whether you need to be worried about feeling claustrophobic and anxious in escape rooms and how to beat them back and go on to win the challenge.

An overview of the blog post

To ensure we’re on the same page, we’ll start with a review of how escape rooms work and why they're so popular. 

We'll then take a closer look at claustrophobia and anxiety and explore how they can affect someone in an escape room. 

Finally, we'll discuss tips and precautions to help you overcome these concerns and enjoy the numerous benefits of escape rooms. 

Let's dive right in!

How escape rooms work, and why they're popular (skip if you've played already)

Escape rooms are immersive, interactive experiences where you and your team must work together to solve puzzles and complete tasks to "escape" a themed room within a certain time limit. 

For example, in our spaceship-themed escape room Cryptosleep, you and your team must collaborate on escaping a spaceship where you’ve been kidnapped before the kidnapper awakens (which will happen in 60 minutes).

They have gained immense popularity in recent years thanks to their unique combination of storytelling, teamwork, and problem-solving.

Mythologic Escapes adds: Just to be clear, escape rooms aren’t IQ tests - they’re real-life adventures for you to enjoy.

How escape rooms are designed to be thrilling

Some of the design elements - such as the themed room and the time limit - may appear to provoke stress among players.

In this section, we’ll see the role these elements play and also reassure you that the experience is designed to be thrilling and enjoyable, and NOT unduly stressful.

Typical thrilling elements of escape rooms

• Room design: Escape rooms are specially designed with decor and props to simulate the game environment.
  • For example, our horror-themed escape adventure Eat Or Be Eaten takes place in a space that’s been designed to look like the game’s setting - an abandoned meatpacking plant.
• Time pressure: The ticking clock adds a sense of urgency, making every second count and heightening the excitement.
• Immersion: From the storyline to the props, escape rooms are all about providing a truly engaging experience.

These features make escape rooms a truly unique experience that you can share with your loved ones.

Escape rooms are designed to challenge you but not to stress you out

The goal of any escape game is for you - the players - to have fun and enjoy yourselves.

The room design and time limit aim to draw your full attention, immerse you in the game completely, and prod you to give your best to solve puzzles and spot clues.

Everyone on your team should feel drawn into the game, and nobody should be content simply standing on the sidelines - that's the idea.

And while they do definitely raise the stakes, none of it is meant to stress you out…

After all, as the setting of everything from kids' adventures to date nights, escape games must be an activity where participants can truly enjoy themselves, right?

A closer look at claustrophobia

Let’s take a closer look at claustrophobia - from what it is to how it can affect your escape room experience. 

What exactly is claustrophobia?

Claustrophobia is an irrational fear of confined spaces. It can lead to feelings of panic, increased heart rate, and difficulty breathing when faced with small or enclosed spaces, such as an escape room.

How claustrophobia can affect someone in an escape room

The fear of being in a closed room from which a player has to “escape” can trigger feelings of anxiety, panic, and discomfort. 

This can hinder their ability to think clearly, communicate effectively with their team, and solve puzzles efficiently. 

Additionally, the fear of being trapped or unable to escape can cause physical symptoms, which can further impact their overall experience.

Tip from Mythical Escapes: You’d do well to remember that you aren’t truly locked or trapped in the room - either the main door will remain open throughout the game, or there will be an emergency button for an immediate exit. Here at Mythologic Escapes, we have emergency buttons.

Understanding anxiety

Now let’s take a glance at the other concern - anxiety, and see how it can affect your escape room experience.

What is anxiety?

Anxiety is a normal and often healthy emotion characterized by feelings of tension, worry, and apprehension. 

However, excessive or prolonged anxiety can become a problem and interfere with daily life, including participating in an escape room.

How anxiety can affect someone in an escape room

Anxiety can make it challenging to enjoy an escape room experience fully. It may cause difficulty concentrating, increased heart rate, and excessive worry, impacting one's ability to solve puzzles and work effectively as part of a team.

Should you be worried about claustrophobia or anxiety in escape rooms?

The only thing you should worry over is whether you’re going to have fun or not. Seriously.

While it's normal to be concerned - especially if you’re a first-timer…

As we explained before, escape rooms are designed to be fun and engaging but NOT overwhelming or stressful. 

With the right preparation and coping strategies, you can overcome their fears and have a great time.

Care to guess what we will discuss next?

Tips to beat claustrophobia in escape rooms

To help overcome claustrophobia while enjoying an escape room experience, consider these tips:

• Choose a room with a larger space and/or a theme that doesn’t suggest confinement.
  • For example, our adventure Eat Or Be Eaten is set inside a meatpacking plant - a considerably larger game space than that for Cryosleep, our other game that sees players locked in a small space with up to two other players.
• Bring supportive friends or family members who understand your concerns.
• Share your concerns with the escape room staff, especially your game master.
• Practice relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing or visualization, before and during the experience.
• Remind yourself that you can leave the room at any time if needed.
  • For example, here at Mythical Escapes, you can just press an emergency button and exit the room any time you want.

Tips to overcome anxiety in escape rooms

Here are some suggestions to help you manage anxiety while participating in an escape room:

• Focus on the task at hand and try not to overthink the situation.
• Communicate with your teammates and share any concerns or feelings of anxiety.
• If you feel uncomfortable, tell your game master immediately.
• Take breaks if needed and practice relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing.
• Remember that the primary goal is to have fun and enjoy the experience.

Precautions and safety measures taken in escape rooms

Escape rooms prioritize safety, and many precautions are in place to ensure participants have a fun and secure experience:

• Emergency exits are clearly marked and accessible.
• Staff members monitor the experience and can intervene if necessary.
• Rules and safety guidelines are explained before the game begins.
• Participants are encouraged to communicate any concerns to staff.

Simply keeping these in mind may relieve your stress to an extent.

The benefits of participating in an escape room

Key benefit: So you can grin like these folks are!

So far, we’ve explored how escape rooms are designed to test your skills but not strain you out - and coping mechanisms for claustrophobia and anxiety.

Before we conclude the post, we will go over the various benefits of escape rooms for mental health and social engagement.

The positive effects of escape rooms on mental health

• They improve problem-solving and critical thinking skills.
• They enhance memory and cognitive abilities.
• They boost self-confidence and a sense of accomplishment.
• They also reduce stress through engaging and immersive experiences.

How escape rooms help you with social engagement

• Encourage teamwork and collaboration.
• Strengthen communication skills and foster trust among teammates.
• Provide opportunities for making new friends or bonding with existing ones.

FAQs

From whether you can do an escape room if you’re claustrophobic to whether escape games can, in fact, benefit folks with anxiety - here are all the frequently asked questions, answered!

Do escape rooms trigger claustrophobia?

It depends entirely on the individual player and the specific room. 

Factors like the room's size, theme, and design can impact how claustrophobic a person may feel. 

However, escape rooms are designed to be exciting and enjoyable, and many businesses take care to create spaces that are less likely to trigger claustrophobic feelings.

Note from Mythical Escapes: Some situations in our escape rooms may trigger claustrophobia, but you can always use the emergency buttons to exit the experience if you feel uncomfortable.

Can I do an escape room if I am claustrophobic?

Absolutely! If you're claustrophobic, it's still possible to enjoy an escape room experience. Here are a few tips:

• Choose a room with a larger space or a less confined theme.
• Bring supportive friends or family members who understand your concerns.
• Share your concerns with the staff, especially your game master.
• Practice relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing or visualization, before and during the experience.
• Remind yourself that you can leave the room at any time if needed.

Note from Mythical Escapes: Our escape games have emergency exit buttons that you can press to exit the space immediately if you feel uncomfortable. Please make sure to ask the game master where the exit button is before your game begins.

Are escape rooms suitable for people with anxiety or claustrophobia?

Escape rooms can be suitable for people with anxiety or claustrophobia if they're well-prepared and choose an appropriate room. 

Many escape rooms offer a variety of themes and difficulty levels, so you can find one that feels comfortable for you. 

Moreover, escape rooms are designed to be fun and engaging, and the support of your teammates can make a big difference in your experience.

Note from Mythical Escapes: As long as you remember that it is just a game, you should be OK.

Can escape rooms be beneficial for people with anxiety?

Yes, escape rooms can be beneficial for people with anxiety. Participating in an escape room can:

• Improve problem-solving and critical thinking skills.
• Boost self-confidence and a sense of accomplishment.
• Enhance social engagement and communication.
• Provide a fun and immersive way to cope with stress.

Are escape rooms stressful?

While escape rooms can be challenging and have time constraints, they are designed to be entertaining and enjoyable experiences. 

The level of stress you feel during an escape room will largely depend on your mindset and the specific room. 

Remember, the goal is to have fun, and you can always ask for hints or take breaks if needed.

Can pregnant women play escape rooms? Explore our article to understand more about the topic.

What is the fear of escape rooms called?

The fear of escape rooms doesn't have a specific name. 

Mythical Escapes adds: That’s a good thing, isn’t it? Not enough people experience fear or anxiety inside escape rooms for there to be a specific name for it!

Conclusion: Should you worry about anxiety or claustrophobia in an escape room?

While it's natural to have concerns about claustrophobia or anxiety in escape rooms, these experiences are designed to be fun and engaging. 

With the right mindset, coping strategies, and support from teammates, most people can overcome their fears and enjoy the numerous benefits escape rooms have to offer.

Give it a shot!

If you've never tried an escape room before, don't let fear of claustrophobia or anxiety hold you back! 

With the tips and information provided in this blog post, you'll be well-equipped to tackle any challenges that may arise. 

So book your game, gather your loved ones, and embark on an unforgettable adventure at Mythical Escape Rooms in NY!

Have questions?Get in touch, and we’ll get back to you ASAP!