A fearful encounter becomes enjoyable when we
can accurately gauge the risk of harm. Our bodies are genetically disposed to a
fight-or-flight protection response when confronted with fear. When we increase
our emotional encounters surrounding our fears, our brains ability to access
actual danger improves. We still experience the emotion of being scared, but
our mind lets us enjoy the experience rather than running from it.
The science behind enjoying a fearful experience
begins and ends in the brain. Emotional experiences stimulate the amygdala, the
part of the brain that processes emotional learning and memory. The amygdala increases
the production of a protein known as Arc. This protein strengthens the synapses
in the hippocampus that store long-term memories. With stronger connections,
the brain is more prone to remember an emotional event rather than a neutral
one. We use these memories to gauge risk.
Young children are more susceptible to
unnecessary emotional responses when confronted with fear because their brain
is unable to make the distinction between reality and fiction. Their brains
have a limited number of experiences to pull from, so there bodies gauge the
risk as high.
This is one of the major reasons why we don't
recommend our escape rooms for anyone under the age of eight. We also suggest
that an adult accompany guests between the ages of eight and thirteen.
Fearful encounters can also be used for
treatment. When we increase our experiences with situations that we consider
fearful, our bank of emotional memories increases. Our brain remembers that the
experience ended without harm and our anxiety is reduced, reducing our fear.
This form of treatment is termed cognitive therapy. It can be used to treat
phobias and post-traumatic stress disorder for unnecessary anxiety.
Another benefit of fear is that it focuses our
attention. In a flight-or-fight situation, our minds need to be on point. Fear
reduces our concern with trivial thoughts and forces our brains to make quick
and effective responses to threats.
With a time limit of 45 minutes, Vancouver's Escape Game uses fear to promote success. When we increase the fear factor, we
create an atmosphere that demands speedy decision-making. Put the clues
together, solve the puzzle and escape to freedom.
Harness your fears and you are guaranteed to enjoy the game.
Ignore Yoda's advice. Channel your fear.
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