Rage rooms, also known as smash rooms, are becoming increasingly popular for people to blow off steam and de-stress. In these rooms, people can smash items in a safe, controlled environment without worrying about the consequences.
While the idea of a rage room may seem counter-intuitive, there is actually some research that suggests that it can help people manage their mental stress and anxiety, as well as PTSD.
Catharsis Theory
The concept of “catharsis theory” suggests that if people can express their anger and frustration safely, it can decrease their overall aggression levels. This has been tested in numerous studies, some showing that it can have a positive effect.
For example, a study in 1959 found that those who were allowed to hammer nails for ten minutes after being insulted showed a decrease in their anger levels, while those who had to wait without physical activity to help vent their anger showed an increase.
This has been backed up by other studies as well. For example, one from 1969 showed that those who were allowed to leave negative evaluations of a teacher who had purposely been frustrating them actually ended up being angrier afterward than those who weren’t.
Further, research has shown that when people believe that venting their anger will decrease their levels of anger, it can end up having the opposite effect.
The takeaway from all this is that rage rooms may not be the best way to manage anger and that there are more effective strategies. Progressive muscle relaxation, cognitive restructuring, social skills training, problem-solving, and exposure to the source of stress are all strategies that have been proven to be more helpful.
However, this doesn’t mean that rage rooms have no benefits whatsoever. For some people, they can be a great way to blow off steam and destress. They provide an outlet for people to release their aggression in a way that doesn’t involve taking it out on innocent bystanders. Plus, these rooms can provide a sense of community for many people, as they are often shared with friends and family.
Ultimately, rage rooms can be a beneficial way to manage mental stress, anxiety, and PTSD. However, it’s important to remember that they are not long-term solutions and should be used in conjunction with other strategies such as those mentioned above.
Attending a rage room typically involves gearing up in safety gear, such as a helmet, goggles, gloves, long sleeves, pants, and close-toed shoes, and then spending 15 to 30 minutes in a private room breaking items like glass plates, cups, and furniture. During this time, people can let all their frustrations out as they break inanimate objects. You can scream, kick, punch and hit items to relieve stress.
The entire experience is designed to help people gain a sense of control and relief from their anger and stress. At the end of the session, people can take home some of the broken items as a souvenir. This further reinforces the idea that they have taken control of their emotions and can now move on from the experience with relief.
Rage Rooms in California & Cost
Rage Rooms can be found in many locations across California. Some popular places include Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Sacramento, and San Jose. If you’re looking for Rage Rooms near you, you can search for terms such as “Rage Rooms near me”, “Rage Rooms in California”, “Rage Rooms Los Angeles”, etc.
Renting a rage room in California ranges from $30.00 to $ 65.00. You can also attend Splatter Rooms, where you can freestyle paint away your stress.
A popular rage room in California is in Los Angeles called Rage Ground, and they also have mobile units that “bring the rage to you!” They even offer car smashing to help you release frustration.
On Twitter, you can find people discussing the topic and sharing their experiences, some saying, “it’s exhilarating”.
The age limit to attend most rage rooms is as young as 2, but anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Are Rage Rooms Dangerous?
Some physical injuries that can occur from attending a rage room include slipping and falling, flying debris from items being smashed, and emotional injury. It is important to wear safety gear such as eye protection, coveralls, and gloves to minimize the risk of physical injury.
A slip and fall is the most common type of injury in a rage room, but some overzealous users also end up with torn muscles and even fractures. The owners of these businesses are very clear on safety concerns and tips to avoid injury.
Other Ways to Relieve Stress
Escape rooms
An escape room is an immersive, real-life adventure game that typically takes place in a themed room and can help people cope with stress and anxiety. Players are given a mission to complete, and they have one hour to complete it. To complete the mission, they must search the room for clues, solve puzzles, and uncover secrets.
As they progress, they’ll need to open locks, crack codes, and use their wits to solve the puzzles. The goal is to complete the mission and escape the room before the time runs out. Escape rooms can have a variety of themes, ranging from bank heists and prison breaks to outer space and ancient Egypt. The goal of the game is to have fun and work together with your teammates to solve the puzzles. With different levels of difficulty, there is something for everyone in an escape room.
Axe throwing:
Axe throwing is the sport or activity of throwing an axe at a target. It is similar to darts but with an axe. Axe throwing can be a great stress reliever, allowing you to focus on the task and block distractions. It also provides mental and physical benefits, such as improved coordination and agility, better reflexes, increased patience and concentration, improved social skills, and improved self-awareness.
Art therapy:
Art therapy is a form of psychotherapy that uses creative methods such as drawing, painting, sculpting, and other forms of creative expression to help patients explore their emotions, reduce stress, increase self-awareness and self-worth, and gain insight into their lives.
Its benefits include improved communication and self-expression, self-esteem, healing from trauma, coping skills, and interpersonal relationships. Additionally, art therapy can help improve physical health by reducing pain, decreasing symptoms of stress, and improving quality of life.
Play therapy:
Play therapy is an overarching umbrella term that encompasses many therapeutic methods that use play as a tool. The therapist is a facilitator for the child to work independently, consider the issues they face, and problem-solve to find solutions. Play therapy aims to provide a psychological buffer between the child and their problems so they feel safe.
Benefits of play therapy include developing responsibility for behavior, establishing successful strategies for addressing concerns and coping, developing unique and creative solutions for their problems, learning how to respect and accept oneself and others, learning how to express emotion appropriately, developing empathy and respect for how other people feel, learning social and relational strategies for interactions with friends and family, and reducing self-destructive behavior.
Dance therapy:
Dance therapy, also known as dance/movement therapy or DMT, is a therapy that uses, well, dance. Besides getting people off their feet and helping people be more physical, which can help with mental health problems, dance therapy is used for mental health problems. The goal is to help reduce stress, improve cognition, and make yourself physically more active.
Dance therapy is seen as quite effective, and its benefits include reducing physical pain, helping with obesity, improving cardiovascular health, reducing hypertension, improving mental health, boosting self-esteem, and improving communication skills. Additionally, it can be used to treat people with autism, anger issues, and dementia.
Seek Help If You Are Suffering
If you are suffering from PTSD and anxiety, it is important to reach out for help. Many different types of support are available, including speaking to a mental health professional, joining a support group, or talking to friends and family. It can also be helpful to engage in self-care activities such as yoga, meditation, exercise, and journaling.
It is also important to take care of your physical health by getting enough sleep, eating a balanced diet, and drinking plenty of water. Don’t be afraid to reach out for help, as it can make a huge difference in managing symptoms and recovering from PTSD and anxiety.
