We all need time off work to rest and recuperate away from the usual day to day work and life. This week Scott and I have had a lovely week off on holiday, escaping the norm and spending time doing what we want without having to think about being up for work.
We went away for a few days and had a great time walking in the countryside, eating at local pubs and generally not rushing around. It was wonderful and perfectly timed, after a few crazy busy months at work, we’d finally made it to our week off.
If you are anything like me, you might find it really hard to switch off from work mode and relax. It always takes several days before I am feeling chilled and can breathe out, letting work go and giving space for relaxation to kick in. Being away in a small town was perfect. We had everything we needed on our doorstep, whilst away from the hum drum of the norm.
We wanted to make the most of our time off and when we returned from our small countryside break, we had a few days to plan activities before our return to work.
When in your own home, it is too easy to slip back into day to day mode. Do the washing or housework, sit on the sofa and watch tv and generally all the usual things you do. Instead we wanted to do something different and fun and continue our holiday feeling.
After a lot of ideas of places to go and activities to do, we settled on doing an escape room. A perfect choice for us both. A fun activity to be completed within an hour whilst you work together and solve the puzzles to escape the room. Simple.
When we arrived at the building, we were given a briefing before being led into the room where we were going to have to escape from. The timer began. Our world for this hour, was a room filled with drawers, locks, puzzles and other bits and bobs for us to work through and solve.
If you have ever completed or tried an escape room before, you will know you have to get stuck in. There is no hanging about, no waiting, you have to start where you find your first clue, and get going from there.
I am not a fan of small spaces and feeling trapped or not being able to get out. My anxiety rises in these situations. So deliberately putting myself in a situation where this is the case, seems crazy right? Well yes, however, as this is a truly immersive experience, with one goal to escape, it is perfect.
Why? you may ask.
Well, you forget where you are, you forget your anxieties of being stuck, you forget your worries and the thoughts usually occupying your head are forced to be quiet. For one hour, your reality is about concentrating in order to solve puzzles and look for clues to move you forward and get you a step closer to escaping. You look up, down, in drawers and at anything you can get your hands on.
As with all fun activities, time flies and before you know it the hour has whizzed by. Whilst we didn’t escape, we had a great time trying to. Our guide told us that we were almost there, just a few more parts and we would have made it out. Ah well, better luck next time.
If you do an escape room, you will not be disappointed and will certainly not be bored (unless puzzles, clues and searching are not your thing). It is a truly brilliant way to spend an hour and forget about anything in the outside world. Without even realising it you are being mindful, you are not distracted by phones, social media or other people. For that hour (or less if you escape) your desire to get out of the room conquers all and with it you do what you need to escape.
If you find yourself with some time on your hands, looking for a fun experience to take you away from your reality, then I highly recommend an escape room. You will find one in a town or city near you. Give it a go and enjoy solving the puzzles whilst escaping your own world for a short period of time.
Have a great week, thank you for reading.
Look after you, love Emma xx
Wellbeing with Relaxing Lavender 