Have you ever felt so angry that you just wanted to break something? Well, you’re not alone. We all experience feelings of frustration, stress, and anger from time to time.
But rather than releasing those emotions by smashing up your own home, rage rooms offer the perfect solution.
What are rage rooms?
A rage room, also known as an anger room, smash room, or destruction room, is a place where you can go to release your anger by breaking things. These rooms typically have items like glass bottles, plates, and electronics that you can smash, hit, or throw to your heart’s content.
It’s a safe and controlled environment where you can let out your emotions without worrying about hurting yourself or others.
Many people find rage rooms to be a fun and therapeutic way to deal with their anger and stress. While it’s not a substitute for professional therapy or anger management, it can be a helpful tool for some people.
If you’re interested in trying out a rage room, there are many businesses that offer this service for a fee. Just make sure to follow the safety guidelines and wear the proper protective gear.
When did rage rooms become popular?
Rage rooms have become increasingly popular in recent years as a form of stress relief and entertainment. According to Google Trends, a tool which shows the popularity of online searches, rage rooms first started taking off in 2016, and have exploded in popularity in 2023.
The first rage room was opened in Japan in 2008. Called The Venting Place, it allowed stressed Tokyo workers to throw crockery against a concrete wall.
The smash room concept quickly spread to other countries. Today, there are rage rooms in many major cities around the world, and they continue to attract a diverse range of customers.
Why do people visit rage rooms?
People visit rage rooms for all sorts of reasons.
For many, smash therapy is a safe and controlled way to release stress and anger. While some people may find other forms of stress relief, such as exercise or meditation, to be more effective, rage rooms can be a cathartic experience for those who get mental relief from lashing out physically.
If you’ve ever punched a pillow or punching bag or attended a body combat-style gym class when you’re angry, you’ll understand how much better it can make you feel
It’s important to note that rage rooms are not a substitute for therapy or other forms of mental health treatment. People with anger management issues should seek professional help rather than relying on a rage room to manage their emotions.
Some people visit smash rooms just for a fun day out. When you’re bored of the usual activities like bowling or the cinema, going to a break room can be a fun way to spend time with friends.
You can even hire a rage room for a group, maybe for a corporate team building day or a fun bachelor or bachelorette party. Maybe even for a divorce party?
How Rage Rooms Work
1. Book Your Session
Most rage rooms require you to book online to secure your space. Slot times vary, from 10 to 20 minutes up to an hour or so.
2. Choose your objects
Usually, rage rooms contain various breakable items such as crockery, televisions, glassware and furniture. You may have a choice of items that you can include. Some companies also let you bring your own items, within limits.
3. Choose your weapon
Depending on the room, you may be able to choose from a variety of weapons like baseball bats, sledgehammers, crowbars, or golf clubs to smash the objects in the room.
4. Do the safety briefing
Before entering the rage room, you’ll sign a safety waiver and put on protective gear like a hard hat, goggles and gloves. The staff will provide instructions on how to safely smash items without giving yourself an injury.
5. Smash away
During your time in the room, you’re free to destroy everything in it. Feel free to shout, scream and swear if you want to. You’ll want to really release all of that pent-up anger.
6. The clean-up
One of the best things about rage rooms is that you don’t need to clean up the mess! When you’re done, a staff member will be on hand with a dustpan and brush to clear everything away and prepare the room for the next person.
Benefits of Visiting a Rage Room
Stress Relief
Visiting a rage room can be an excellent way to relieve stress. Breaking things can be a physical manifestation of releasing negative emotions.
By smashing objects, you can let go of pent-up frustration and anger, which can help you feel more relaxed and calm.
While many people may feel that venting or lashing out can be an effective way to reduce stress, it’s important to note that the science doesn’t back this up.
According to a study in The Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, angry subjects who hit a punching bag were later more aggressive in blasting their rivals in a competitive task with loud, unpleasant noises than subjects who did not hit a punching bag.
Aggression also increased when the subjects, who were all undergraduates enrolled in introductory psychology courses, first read a bogus article describing research purportedly showing that hitting an inanimate object was ”an effective way of venting anger.”
Physical Activity
Breaking things in a rage room is a form of physical activity. It gets your heart rate up and releases endorphins, which can improve your mood and energy levels.
Depending on the items you choose to smash, you may be engaging in some light weightlifting or cardio exercise.
However, as with any physical activity, there’s a potential for injuries. You must be careful to avoid muscle sprains or strains as well as cuts and bruises.
Emotional Catharsis
Visiting a rage room can also provide an emotional catharsis. Sometimes, we hold onto negative emotions because we don’t know how to express them in a healthy way.
Breaking things in a controlled environment is clearly a better option than smashing up your own possessions or someone else’s.
For those who struggle with anger management or have experienced trauma, visiting a rage room can be a good way to release negative emotions. While it may not be a long-term solution for dealing with stress or anger, it can be a helpful tool in your overall self-care routine.
Read more: 6 Surprising Benefits of Smash Rooms
The bottom line
After researching and learning about rage rooms, I can say that they are a unique and unconventional way for people to release their pent-up anger and frustration. While most therapists and experts may not fully endorse the concept of rage rooms, there are still those who believe that they can be a useful tool for stress relief and mental health.
It is important to note that rage rooms should not be seen as a long-term solution for managing anger and other emotions. Instead, they should be viewed as a temporary outlet for individuals to let off steam and blow off some steam in a safe and controlled environment.
Additionally, it is important for rage room businesses to ensure that all safety measures are in place and that customers are properly educated on how to use the equipment and materials provided. This includes wearing protective gear and following guidelines for the proper disposal of broken items.
Overall, while rage rooms may not be for everyone, they can offer a unique and exciting experience for those looking to release their anger and stress in a safe and controlled environment. As with any activity, it is important to approach rage rooms with caution and to prioritize safety and well-being.