Can rage rooms help you de-stress?

What is a rage room?

The concept of a rage room originated in Japan in 2008 as a stress-relieving experience. These regulated environments allow paying customers - wearing protective gear - to vent their anger by breaking inanimate objects like dishes and electronics using tools such as baseball bats and sledgehammers. Marketed as a safe way to release pent-up anger, rage rooms use destructive activities as a form of stress relief.

Since their origin, rage rooms have popped up in numerous countries worldwide. Their rise in popularity has transformed the basic act of smashing - one of the most unrestrained physical actions - into a supposedly healthy activity.

How do rage rooms work?

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), around 300 million people across the globe live with anxiety disorders.

Feelings like anger can sometimes stem from anxiety - especially in response to fear or perceived threats. Some people believe that emotions like anger, fear, and frustration should be expressed to prevent a build-up of these emotions. The theory behind rage rooms is that they offer a unique outlet for people to unleash them in a safe and controlled environment.

Are rage rooms good for you?

Suppressing negative emotions - especially by trying to ignore them - might be unhealthy for your heart¹. But that does not mean that smashing objects is a good way to deal with anger or anxiety and research is scarce on this.

Sandra Kushnir, Founder of Meridian Counseling, says: "The physical activity involved in smashing objects can lead to the release of endorphins - chemicals in the brain that act as natural painkillers and mood elevators. The act of destroying objects can provide a sense of control and immediate gratification, which can be soothing when dealing with stress."

She warns, however - that while rage rooms can provide temporary relief - they should not be seen as a substitute for addressing the underlying causes of stress through more personalised therapy.

Releasing stress through physical activities - such as smashing up a room full of crockery - might be a harmless way to blow off steam. It may even give you a sense of empowerment. But mental health is complex and you should get professional help if you're affected by anxiety or anger issues.

It's normal to feel angry from time to time - but expressing anger safely can become a problem if you struggle to control it. If you're feeling overwhelmed by anger and it's affecting your daily life, talk to your doctor. You may be prescribed talking therapy such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) to help manage your anger.

What are healthy ways to de-stress?

Anger can be triggered by a range of reasons. While it's important to see a therapist if it's causing problems in your life, there are techniques you can try for managing stress.

• Exercise is a natural mood lifter. It won't make your stress vanish, but it can clear your head and calm your mind.

• Talk to people such as friends and family. Share your feelings with them and talk through what might be causing your anger.

• Channel your anger into doing something you love - like a hobby or learning a new skill.

• Take time to relax - whether it's socialising with friends or unwinding with a book. Stepping away from daily pressures can replenish your energy and top-up emotional reserves.

• Calming breathing exercises can help with stress and anxiety. Try to incorporate them into your daily schedule.

How to breathe for relaxation

"Practices like mindfulness meditation can help calm the mind, reduce anxiety, and improve emotional regulation," advises Kushnir. "Writing down thoughts and feelings can also be a powerful way to process emotions and identify stress triggers."

While rage rooms can be a fun, harmless way to let off steam, they are not a solution for dealing with deeper anger issues. Venting rage through violence - even without harming others - could encourage aggressive behaviour.

If you're worried about anger symptoms, talk to your doctor. They can help you find healthy ways to cope.

Further reading