It’s estimated that there are nearly 3,000 escape rooms across the United States, but this trend shows no sign of slowing down any time soon.
While you probably already know that an escape room is a great way to have a fun time with a group of friends, you may not know that there are some health benefits, too!
We gathered a list of nine of those surprising health benefits to encourage you to play escape games. Keep reading to learn more!
1. Boost Mood
Most escape rooms involve solving several small puzzles along the way. Every time you do so, your brain releases dopamine, a natural mood booster. So, if you’re looking for an easy way to escape depression for a little while, try an escape room.
2. Reduce Stress
Those shots of dopamine will also help to reduce stress. When you’ve got feel-good hormones flooding your body, there’s no room for stress hormones.
Besides that, there’s a huge confidence boost that comes with beating or even coming close to beating an escape room. You can take that feeling with you into your everyday life to overcome any obstacle you’re facing.
3. Exercise the Brain
Your brain is an organ and needs to be exercised to stay healthy. As you have to look for clues and think through problems in an escape room, your brain gets a workout.
The more you use your brain, the younger you’ll stay mentally. It can even help ward off the onset of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. That means you’re never too old to play escape games.
Part of staying young mentally also means improved memory. So, if you want to avoid memory loss, start looking for nearby escape rooms.
4. Exercise the Body
If you want some serious cardio, you’ll have to hit the gym. But, if you’re looking for a fun way to get an hour of physical activity in, then consider an escape room.
Unfortunately, most Americans don’t get in enough exercise. It’s one of the primary reasons so many people are overweight. Since being overweight is linked to cancer, it’s important to do what you can to stay at a healthy weight.
5. Develop Fine Motor Skills
If you’re like most people, you don’t use your fine motor skills that often. Escape rooms may have you tinkering with locks and carefully assembling clues. These will both help you improve your ability to work with your hands.
6. Improve Relationships
We humans are social creatures that thrive on having good relationships. Even the most introverted person needs a few close friends.
The excitement of an escape room is a great way to improve relationships between friends, family members, or co-workers. It’s why some managers use escape rooms for company team-building exercises.
Can’t Play Escape Games But Want to Improve Your Health?
Now you know nine of the surprising health benefits you gain when you play escape games. But, what do you do if you don’t have an escape room near you?
Fortunately, there are numerous things you can do for your health wherever you are. For more info, check out our article on seven ways to make your home healthier.
