A couple of years ago, in the midst of COVID, I found myself in a small warehouse space with two of my friends. Each of us donned protective jumpsuits, heavy gloves, and full-face shields (sounds a bit apocalyptic, I know).
Before us lay a smorgasbord of destruction: old printers, glass bottles, ceramic plates, and more. On one side of the room, baseball bats, crowbars, and more were waiting for us. I connected my phone to the Bluetooth speakers, which started blaring appropriate and potentially aggressive rap music.
This was my first (and only) rage room experience, and the anticipation of unleashing destruction on inanimate objects sent a strange mix of excitement and hesitation through me.
Would this actually help release stress?
Or would it just leave me feeling more amped up?
Inevitably, we were all feeling it back then. Lockdowns had eased up but the threat of them remained.
Thirty minutes later, sweaty and breathing hard, we all emerged from the room feeling oddly refreshed. The physical exertion combined with the primal satisfaction of breaking things had created an unexpected catharsis.
But was this feeling grounded in actual psychological benefits, or was it merely the novelty of the experience? Well, I decided it was time I did a deep dive. So, let’s start with some basics…
What is a Rage Room?
Rage rooms—also known as smash rooms, anger rooms, or destruction rooms—are recreational facilities where people pay to destroy various objects in a controlled environment.
The concept is simple: Participants are provided with protective gear, weapons of destruction, and a room full of items to smash, break, and demolish.
These venues are thought to have first originated in Japan around 2008, where they were called “venting places” or “stress-releasing rooms.”
They were potentially designed to help overworked business professionals find relief from the pressures of corporate life. The trend quickly spread globally, with rage rooms now found in major cities across North America, Europe, Australia, and Asia.
Most rage rooms offer various packages at different prices, with more expensive options typically including more items to destroy or premium breakables like electronics.
Many facilities allow participants to bring their own items to destroy (with safety restrictions), customize their music playlists, and even record their destructive sprees.
The appeal seems universal—these establishments attract:
- corporate teams on unusual team-building exercises
- couples on unique date nights
- friend groups seeking novel experiences (I fell in this bucket!)
- individuals looking for stress relief or simply a good time
So, beyond my own account, do they actually work? Are they backed up by science?
Related Article: 3 Easy and Simple Secrets for Relieving Morning Anxiety & Stress
Are Rage Rooms Actually Healthy?
The concept behind rage rooms taps into the catharsis theory, which suggests that releasing aggressive energy through physical actions can reduce feelings of anger and aggression.
This idea, originating from ancient Greek drama, proposes that witnessing or experiencing intense emotions can purge or “cleanse” these feelings.
In psychological terms, proponents of rage rooms argue that they provide:
- Physical release of tension
- Symbolic destruction
- Controlled transgression
- Mindfulness through action
Now, there are several studies that indicate that physical activity is a great way to release pent-up stress and manage emotions.
The Flip Side
But… Despite their popularity, the scientific evidence supporting rage rooms as effective anger management tools is mixed at best.
Most psychologists and mental health professionals express skepticism about their long-term benefits for anger management. In fact, there’s even some concern that it might support violence as a way to let out anger or stress (which I can kind of see).
Numerous studies have further challenged the catharsis hypothesis itself.
Research led by psychologist Brad Bushman challenges the catharsis hypothesis—the idea that venting anger through aggressive actions reduces aggression.
In a published work, Bushman found that participants who engaged in activities like hitting a punching bag while thinking about the person who angered them felt more anger and exhibited increased aggression compared to those who did nothing at all.
Bushman concluded that “venting to reduce anger is like using gasoline to put out a fire—it only feeds the flame.”
Further supporting this, other research and experts have explored how venting anger might feel gratifying but can exacerbate negative emotions rather than alleviate them.
Calming practices like meditation, yoga, and deep breathing were found to be more effective at reducing anger.
So, Should You Try a Rage Room?
So, should you never go to a rage room? I don’t think so. I think it can be helpful to release stress but not exactly help address real anger.
In fact, mental health professionals generally recommend more constructive approaches to anger management, such as:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): This therapy helps you learn to identify and change thought patterns that contribute to anger
- Mindfulness and meditation: These practices help develop awareness of anger triggers and responses
- Physical exercise: Regular exercise like running or swimming that isn’t destruction-focused can help level up your emotional resilience.
- Communication skills: Inevitably, learning to express anger in productive, non-aggressive ways is always best for everyone!
That said, not everyone visiting rage rooms is seeking therapy. For many, like my own visit, it’s simply a novel recreational activity—more akin to an amusement park ride than a therapy session.
Related Article: Feeling Angry? 4 Ways You Can Release it in Healthy Ways
Cultural Perspectives on Destruction as Release
Surprisingly, however, letting out “rage” or “stress” isn’t a new-age thing. Neither is breaking things for big emotions. It’s been around culturally for some time. Here are a few examples:
- Spanish Tomatina Festival: A massive tomato fight held annually in Buñol, Spain.
- Greek plate smashing: A tradition at celebrations where plates are deliberately broken to express joy.
- “Smash the Crockery” at British fairs: These carnival games involve throwing baseballs at arranged pottery.
Each of these traditions combines physical release with symbolic meaning, suggesting that humans across cultures have long recognized the emotional power of controlled destruction or simply releasing these emotions in some shape or form.
Smashing Things: Good Time or Therapeutic Tool?
The consensus on rage rooms seems clear: they’re a fun and cathartic activity, but not a reliable long-term solution for managing anger.
For most visitors, rage rooms provide a unique and memorable experience. They offer the excitement of breaking things without consequences, combined with the physical exertion that can temporarily lift your mood.
While the short-term boost from the novelty and fun is real, its value lies more in entertainment than in lasting emotional relief, which is definitely something to keep in mind!
Read Next: Do You Lose Your Temper? 7 Tips to Tame Your Anger
Photo by cottonbro studio
