All Psyched Up: Escape room

By Linda Hancock on August 2, 2025.

Last week some volunteers at our village set up a fun outing for residents in our Amenities Building. I am not sure if this is true, but someone said that it took over 600 hours of planning.

Here are the things that I learned doing this activity that can be applied to all of our lives:

1. Be on time – The start of the event required that we arrive by 6:30 p.m. I find it so annoying and disrespectful when individuals are late and then come up with excuses that could easily have been eliminated. Remember to be on time for scheduled activities. Just leave a few minutes earlier and you will gain respect.

2. Become a team player – We were each assigned to a group of four members. In life, we usually get to choose who we will associate with but there are also times that each of us has to learn how to work with people we don’t know or wouldn’t have chosen.

3. Learn the rules of the game – There was a brief instructional period where we sat and listened to a leader. I am chuckling as I write this because some people just didn’t listen or comprehend. How many times in your life have you had problems because you didn’t pay attention when you had the opportunity to learn?

4. Be safe – None of the rooms were locked or darkened in order to protect the team members. We say that we value safety, but I bet if you think about it, there are times when you knowingly do foolish things that aren’t safe. Some things are just not worth a risk!

5. Know your strengths – Each member of our group had experience and knowledge that they could use during the activity. One man had a sports background and therefore did a great job earning points at the golf simulator. The retired engineer kept immaculate notes outlining our progress. When you know what you do best and let other people do the same, life is easier.

6. Use your past to improve your present – There were times when we were required to name the song and artist that the guitarist was playing. We put together puzzles, used our math and problem-solving skills. Our memories were challenged as we had to recall facts and, of course, manners and social decorum were mandatory.

7. Keep moving – There were 15 escape rooms on three floors, and we went up and down levels in order to complete the tasks. I was very tired by the end of the evening but knew that the extra steps were really good for my health!

8. Share – Each of us took a beverage and some brought snacks that they put out for enjoyment. It kind of reminded me of elementary school days when everyone opened their lunch kit and allowed the person next to them to help themselves.

9. Celebrate – There were wonderful prizes for those who had achieved high and low scores. We clapped and cheered even though each of us secretly hoped the lovely items would be ours to take home with us. Sometimes we can enjoy the successes of other people and sometimes we need to be our own best friend and congratulate our own wins.

10. Evaluate – There was lots of feedback from participants and the committee members were eager to hear what people were saying. They will apparently use the comments when planning the next Escape Room adventure. Each of us needs to assess our lives to determine what we can repeat and what we can improve.

Dr. Linda Hancock, the author of “Life is An Adventure…every step of the way” and “Open for Business Success” is a Registered Psychologist who has a private practice in Calgary. She can be reached by email at office@drlindahancock.com

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