It’s finally summer, and that means long and lazy days–but, if you’re not careful, all that leisure time can turn your brain to mush. We’re not saying that you don’t deserve a break, you definitely do! But even when you’re enjoying some quality downtime, it’s important to keep your mind active, so we humbly suggest you play an escape room! Here are just a few ways that escape rooms can help you keep sharp this summer.
A fun challenge doesn’t feel like a challenge
Escape rooms have the ability to make you think without realizing it. When you play, you’re too busy exploring the set and having fun to notice how much of a workout your brain is getting. They say a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down; well, the same principle applies here: A little bit of fun helps you forget that you’re learning.
Escape rooms keep you social
Flexing your mind isn’t the only significant benefit of playing an escape room. Since escape rooms are inherently a group activity, they test your ability to communicate, listen, and cooperate with others. Putting effort into communicating and understanding can stimulate neural pathways and brain development. These basic social activities are incredibly beneficial for keeping your brain alert, and are just one more way that escape rooms help you keep sharp.
A variety of puzzles to keep you on your toes
They say variety is the spice of life, but it’s also good for your mind. Changes in established patterns and routines cause your brain to form new synapses, thereby strengthening your cognitive ability. Have you ever started to feel tired after playing an escape room? Like you might want a nap? That exhaustion might stem from your brain working hard and performing new functions in order to solve the puzzles. Don’t mistake that tired feeling to be a bad thing, pushing your brain is how you challenge it and develop new synapses.