Escape rooms are one of the most fun and exciting group activities to plan.
They are a test of logic, patience, and intuition and an incredible way to bond and determine how well a group of people can work together.
Escape rooms are also a wonderful addition to parties, celebrations, day-long activities, and fun days.
If you’re exploring escape room ideas for kids, one of the major obstacles is ensuring everyone stays calm and composed while finding the way out.
In fact, figuring out how everyone can keep their cool in an escape room is equally essential for adults.
Are you looking for ideas for the same? Continue reading to learn more!
How Do You Keep Calm When You’re in an Escape Room?
1. Mindset: Fight or Flight
When a puzzling situation with a time limit is posed, most people usually shift into fight or flight mode.
Although it is an understandable human reaction, it is crucial to comprehend that an escape room (the game, of course!) doesn’t threaten our lives, and the easiest way out is to think rationally.
Moreover, staying in the “fight” zone more than “flight” helps determine how to solve the puzzles and find the solution.
As the wise Dwight Schrute once said, “Use the surge of fear and adrenaline to sharpen your decision-making!”
2. Teammates: Find Rational Ones
Of course, we all want to do group activities with our friends and close ones. But, if possible, refrain from having stressful teammates.
Ultimately, escape rooms are a group activity, and the goal is to get out of it successfully.
However, choosing teammates shouldn’t be an issue if you’re entering an escape room as a group activity to bond or have fun specifically with your friends.
Pro tip: Find smart and logical people who can solve puzzles quickly.
3. Awareness: Recognise Your Attitude
Keeping your composure in the face of danger has never been easy. But being self-aware can be a great way to redirect your anxiety.
Even in general life situations, if you can elevate your self-awareness and recognize the areas where you fall short emotionally, it can help you keep cool in stressful situations.
Consider an example: if you need to solve a set of clues in the escape room but feel unable to, determine what emotional or psychological areas you lack that might be causing your uneasiness, such as claustrophobia, nyctophobia, social anxiety, autophobia, triggering content or anything else.
4. Strategize!
One of the core ideas of an escape room is effective planning and appropriate strategizing.
At the beginning of all escape rooms, the guide or game master walks the participants through the different puzzles or themes incorporated.
As a team, you can discuss and divide the different tasks to get ahead.
This way, you can focus specifically on your job instead of worrying about the entire theme. It will also help you to beat the time.
5. Plan Ahead
Think of all your reactions when you’re in a stressful situation.
Do you feel the urge to use the washroom? Do you get thirsty? Do you feel claustrophobic or start sweating?
Take all of these reactions into consideration and plan. Use the loo beforehand or carry a water bottle with you (if allowed).
Wear comfortable clothing to ensure you don’t feel restricted or suffocated by your clothes.
6. Celebrate (But Not Too Much!)
The course of an escape room is usually divided into a set of clues.
Thus, when you successfully solve one, feel free to celebrate and enjoy the small victory. It helps to feel more optimistic about the outcome and keeps the team’s morale high.
However, don’t celebrate too much because there’s still the entire course left. Also, a long celebration and discussion might cost you too much time.
General Tips for an Escape Room
Here are some general recommendations for escape room first-timers that may help to find the key faster.
- Be on time.
- Focus on the tasks at hand rather than the larger picture.
- Don’t hesitate to ask questions and clear your queries.
- Communicate actively with your team.
- Find the strengths and repair the weaknesses.
- Divide and conquer!
- Keep track of time.
- Dress comfortably.
- Refrain from carrying accessories.
- Pay attention to details to find clues.
- Not everything is a clue, so don’t waste time on minute things.
- Adopt trial and error.
- Stay focused.
- Have fun!
Final Thoughts
Escape rooms are as fun as they sound. Although they test your logic, problem-solving skills, and team coordination, the primary goal of an escape room is having as much fun as possible!
If you have this priority sorted in your mind, it will be easier to keep calm and not panic.
Also, remember that you’re only temporarily trapped in the room. Even if you fail to find the solution, you’ll be eventually let out.
By following this train of thought, you’ll be able to focus more on the tasks at hand rather than worrying about how you’ll get out.
Most importantly, remember to breathe and enjoy yourself!
