Menu

Jackson Chavarria

About Jackson Chavarria

Posts by Jackson Chavarria:

Clue or Clueless

A Clue or Clueless?

, , , , , , 0

You find yourself in a new environment with little to no semblance of what to do. You see a few different locks, each more complex than the last. Your eyes try desperately to take in all the new information as quickly as possible while your mind tries to recall what the Game Master said beforehand. You already feel the uncertainty and anxiety climb due to excitement and fear of what lies ahead. The clock has started, and you must find a way out before it’s too late.

What a lovely thing an escape room is!

If you can relate to that feeling or know someone who did not enjoy their escape room experience, these feelings were most likely brought forth during the game. Though there are some things you can do to prepare in advance to give you and your team the best chance of escape (see our previous blog “This Is Big Brain Time” about maximizing the brain’s potential), there are also some things you should be conscious of when heading into an escape room.

1. Know the Company

This may be a peculiar tip, but it can be the difference between success and failure when utilized effectively. Now, I do not mean to know the staff or owners on a personal level, but the games themselves. Does the game you’ll play lean more towards being straightforward or challenging? Is it linear or non-linear? It’s a good idea to start with the company’s least challenging room because it can give you an idea of how interactive it is, what kinds of locks and puzzles there are, and if the puzzles are well-designed.

2. Dissect Everything

Within reason, of course. Your Game Master should tell you beforehand if there is anything off-limits, such as climbing, crawling, forcing things open, and specific things to leave alone. As long as you act within the set rules and guidelines, never look anything over as “just a prop.” In an escape room, anything can be significant!

3. Discerning an Object’s Usefulness

While the above tip is beneficial, remember that only some things will be helpful. Sometimes, we witness people glued to the idea that a purely decorative object helps solve a puzzle when it has nothing to do with finding the solution. A well-designed puzzle should guide you to what it is asking for without directly telling you where it’s located and what it is. Just because anything can be necessary doesn’t mean everything must be necessary. Keep an open mind about how the puzzle is solved, and you’ll be in good shape to discover the intended answer.

We are complex beings with the ability to rationalize and problem-solve our way to success. There are moments when your brain will hyper-fixate on what it thinks is the best or only way to accomplish a goal, so try to fight those feelings. If you’re getting frustrated or upset because you can’t figure something out, do what you can to get extra help from those around you!

This is

This is Big Brain Time

, , , 0

As we continue down this road of life, it becomes ever more crucial to care for our bodies and minds so that everything works at its best. But practically, what does that look like? What steps should we be taking to promote the health of our mind and body? Though many of us require different things depending on our body types, preferences, and biological dispositions, some apply to most of the human population, if not everyone. Maintaining your body as a whole will help it maintain you in return when you choose to endeavor in challenging tasks, such as escape rooms.


1. SLEEP

First of all, beginning your preparation before the room starts is critical. Getting ample sleep is crucial for maximizing your potential and thus factors into your success or failure. The right amount for you varies from person to person, but it’s usually between 6-8 hours. Believe it or not, women need more sleep than men, so beauty sleep has some merit despite it being a myth! Sometimes, fact is far more interesting than fiction. Nonetheless, if you’re having trouble staying awake and doing well with specific tasks, it may stem from your lack of sleep.
 

2. FUEL

Secondly, your fuel source should be chock-full of the good stuff. Greens like kale/broccoli, proteins like fatty fish, berries, walnuts, and tea/coffee are all helpful in promoting brain health. If you are or have gone through a diet change, be aware that sometimes your body can reject the sudden change, so slowly and steadily introduce the new diet to your body. Of course, consume these and all foods in moderation to avoid any potentially adverse side effects. Naturally, these nutrients won’t be of much use to you without water to carry them through your veins and into that big brain of yours! Ensure you drink enough according to your weight and activity level, and you’ll be in tip-top shape.

3. HUGS

Third, get those hugs! If you’ve read my previous blogs, you’ll know we humans are highly community-based. While physical health is a significant component of cognitive function, emotional health is equally important. Renowned therapist and author Virginia Satir said: “We need four hugs daily for survival. We need eight hugs daily for maintenance. We need 12 hugs daily for growth.” Hugs help release a chemical called oxytocin, the feel-good hormone that promotes positivity and reduces stress. Hugs aid in our desire to feel needed, loved, and noticed. Of course, the number of hugs does depend on how comfortable you are with physical touch and other people in your space, but her guideline is a good rule of thumb.
 
With all this said, be sure to keep in mind your well-being. If you haven’t got your health, you haven’t got anything, so do yourself a favor and be kind to yourself by applying these tips in your life! We are complex creatures requiring an assortment of things, so it’s best to keep them in mind as we navigate this world, especially when talking about cognitive ability and performing your best in an escape room!

Human See_Human Feel

Human See, Human Feel

, , , , 0

Jackson Chavarria is a manager at Cross Roads Escape Games, has a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, and is working on his Master’s degree. Here is his take on interesting things he sees in our escape rooms through his psychology perspective.

You may have come across some people in your life who seem to be able to assess a room’s “energy” or “vibe” within minutes or even seconds. These people can somehow tell if it’s a positive or negative type of energy and conclude whether it’s a place they want to stay in long. If you have witnessed one of your friends or family, or you have done this, you may chalk it up to a certain kind of luck or superstition, as there often isn’t much evidence to come to such a conclusion. But what if there is legitimate reasoning behind this backed by science?

Mirror neurons: a recent scientific discovery in the early 1990s found in a specific group of primates called macaques. As luck would have it, we also have mirror neurons. They allow us to empathize with other humans, even if we aren’t directly involved. The most common example is when people yawn, those nearby may immediately feel the need to yawn. Often, we allow this need to carry out, and we yawn as well. Seeing someone get hit in a sensitive area could make you say “ooh” in pain, despite us experiencing no harm. When we see or hear someone laughing, we want to join in with the laughter, despite us sometimes not knowing what’s funny. This is where “infectious laughter” comes from, so blame your mirror neurons!

There is still research on what species may have them apart from macaques and humans, along with the purpose of why they exist. The working theory is that those mirror neurons allow for an easier connection to others, as we are a community-based species. But it doesn’t stop with actions or behaviors; it also applies to emotions. When we see someone holding back tears, we feel that sadness, and it takes an intentional effort not to cry in those moments. We empathize with those around us unconsciously daily throughout our lives, whether it be a kind smile from a stranger, and we can’t help but smile back, or our friend is angry because their coworker Sharleen was rude to them that day, and we also get mad at Sharleen.

Knowing about mirror neurons is so crucial for escape rooms because, as the name implies, we reflect what we see. This is why it’s imperative that you bring positive emotions to the group. Escape rooms are filled with complex puzzles and tasks that can invoke negative emotions like anxiety and frustration. Those negative feelings can throw off a group dynamic and cause further unnecessary stress in an already stressful situation.

Being a beacon of positive emotion can be the difference between successful and unsuccessful groups.

At the top of this blog, I mentioned that some people could sense a room’s energy. Very little research (if any) goes along with this, but here’s what I’ve gathered thus far: these people usually exhibit symptoms of ADHD and have keen observation skills. My working theory is that these people assess the people in the room, look for disgruntled faces, uncomfortable body language, and other negative signs, and then make their deductions. More research must be done regarding the accuracy of these suppositions. In the meantime, be the positivity you aspire to see in the world because it just might pass on to those you come across!

Scary Rooms header + title

Scary Rooms: Are They Worth It?

, , , , , 0

What is it that instills fear into your heart?
 
Frequently, escape room companies make use of the idea of fear in some way to liven up the experience. For some, this is enticing: the concept of someone or something scaring the pants off them while trying to decipher codes and find clues is just the motivation they need to get out. 
 
Fear is one of the most innate responses to adverse environmental stimuli. We are designed to be afraid of things that pose a threat to us and our well-being. We are conditioned to have adverse reactions to fearful things. It’s why various types of phobias exist in the human race. One of our more common fears is darkness, or more broadly, the unknown. A big reason why this is the case is that we are knowledge seekers, constantly striving to figure things out, make new inventions, and thus have a more complete understanding of the world around us.

A famous example of this is the movie Jaws, specifically the original. The entire film is 2 hours and 10 minutes (130 minutes) long, and the shark was only on screen for 4 minutes. FOUR MINUTES! Yet it is considered one of the greatest horror films to date. It truly takes advantage of our hardwired fear of the unknown.

 
The most common question we game masters get asked about our rooms is, “How scary is it?” A good rule of thumb to measure the room’s frightfulness is whether live actors are in the room with you, but this is far from an ironclad rule. You can also ask the employees what kinds of things to expect without being spoiled about the room or looking at reviews of the room. However, the best method of assessing a room’s fear factor is hearing it from someone you know. Have someone you trust (who’s willing to do so) play the room before you do, and ask them what they thought of it and if they think you can handle it.
 
You’ll find that those who report that they like scary rooms find much enjoyment in the experience. The Weeping Witch is one of my favorite escape rooms because of the creative puzzles and the frightfulness. But this isn’t because I lack fear; I am more often the more fearful one of the group, but I am still willing to be the first one to go into a dark space or walk through an unlit path. I’ve learned that I can’t think fear out of my head, but taking action despite my fear dispels it. Then when we escape and make it out, it’s more gratifying than a non-scary room because, despite being terrified, I pushed on, conquered my fear, and successfully escaped!
 
More often than not, it is worth doing a scarier room because of the atmosphere and the story the company is conveying. But people who skip out on scary rooms miss out on the fantastic puzzles, exciting discoveries, and fun times the space provides. Two of our rooms, The Hex Room and The Weeping Witch, are scary in their own right. The Hex Room has a creepy ambiance: sporadic, unnerving noises are heard throughout the game, coupled with being physically separated from one another, but not much when it comes to being blatantly scary. The Weeping Witch has a live actor inside the game, and they will be doing their best to scare you, so be mindful of that before you decide to play it.  

So, what should you do to combat your fear of the unknown? Remind yourself that this is all orchestrated and purposeful. Like a scary rollercoaster, it is meticulously designed to feel scary but isn’t genuinely life-threatening. Conceptually, they are pretty similar, except escape rooms carry even less risk so that you can enjoy the space to the fullest! If you have pre-existing health conditions or are prone to panic/anxiety attacks, enter a scary room at your own risk and check with the company if they recommend you do a frightening room you’re interested in. We always want the most people possible to have fun and experience our rooms, but we first and foremost value the safety of the players for every game. Alert a staff member if you have concerns of any kind, and they will be happy to address them.

All Work 2

All Work and No Play

, , , , 0

Jackson Chavarria is a manager at Cross Roads Escape Games, has a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, and is working on his Master’s degree. Here is his take on interesting things he sees in our escape rooms through his psychology perspective.

There is an array of names for those in any skill, hobby, or job who put in much more effort than is “required” for the task. Inside a professional environment such as the Olympics or televised sports, these people are praised and set upon a pedestal as pinnacles of greatness, dedication, and the epitomes of hard work. However, in everyday day-to-day life, these people are often criticized for their overworking habits and are called “try-hard,” “sweat,” “show-off,” or are known to take the activity “too seriously.” 

No one person cannot be the best at everything, hence why a wide variety of people from diverse backgrounds accomplish world records. While these people are often role models for us, it is unrealistic in most aspects of our regular livelihood. To aspire to be the best in all parts of your life is impossible and negatively affects you. Living this way has been shown to decrease self-confidence and lead to depression or isolation, putting all this pressure on yourself and feeling like a letdown when you can’t live up to impossible standards.

Acquiring a record is no easy feat, but many people strive for it. The trait of wanting to hold some form is usually seen in individualistic countries (i.e., USA and Europe) instead of collectivistic countries (i.e., China and India). Individualistic countries uphold the singular person so that everyone aspires for their success and individually gets the rewards or repercussions. Collectivistic countries focus more on the success and betterment of the entire family, as one’s success or failure is tied to the whole family.  


As members of an individualistic country, we can quickly grasp that the singular person must stand out. We all want to be highlighted, recognized, or unique, preferably in a positive light. Since we were little, it was all about what we could do, how fast we could learn, how high of a grade we could get, and doing our best to outdo those around us.

If you’re stuck under the pretense that you need to be on the escape room leaderboard, you’ve misinterpreted the point of a well-designed escape room. The phrase “too much of a good thing” realizes itself in this concept. It is not inherently bad or wrong to want to strive for any record. This mentality can often lead to incredible feats of human capabilities that could never be realized. However, some moments or memories are meant to be experienced with a flexible mind, not a rigid one.

All we have left once a moment has passed is the memory of it. That memory may be photographed, drawn, or symbolized in another way, but there’s no comparison to what it was truly like to live in that moment. There is something beautiful about escape rooms; they bring people together, accomplish a group task, and expand the brain’s potential for problem-solving, all in one place. Try not to be too preoccupied with getting the best time, end up missing it, and let that ruin what could’ve been a positive memory for years to come. Instead, embrace the escape room for what it offers, solve some puzzles, and congratulations if you get a record! If not, you became smarter, strengthened friendships, and balanced work and play!

Personality Vs. Escape Rooms

Personalities vs. Escape Rooms

, , 0

Jackson Chavarria is a manager at Cross Roads Escape Games, has a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, and is working on his Master’s degree. Here is his take on interesting things he sees in our escape rooms through his psychology perspective.

In an escape room, it is always best to come in and play with multiple people to avoid burnout or frustration with oneself. You are there to have fun, and bringing others is a great way to ensure higher odds of success and establish a stronger connection with those involved. In a perfect world, you are in an escape room with people who understand how you think and with whom you work well. Since this is likely not the case, it is best to get a good feel for those in your group and have a solid grasp of their personalities to know if it meshes well with yours.

There are many methods by which we as humans have attempted to classify others around us to come to a decisive conclusion about how we should categorize them. Several popularized theories exist that help distinguish people and better understand who they are in a short matter of time. However, a sizeable portion of these “personality quizzes” are anything but reliable.

In recent years, psychologists have recognized some characteristics as vital to one’s personality. These are “the Big 5”: agreeableness, extraversion, openness, conscientiousness, and neuroticism. Some of these may sound familiar, and others like a foreign language, so let’s break them down:

  1. Agreeableness= kindness to others.
  2. Extraversion= sociability
  3. Openness= creativity and one’s intrigue
  4. Conscientiousness= thoughtfulness
  5. Neuroticism= linked to emotional instability.

Every person has varying levels of each personality factor, and often it is most comfortable to be with those who are like us. However, in a stressful situation, the best (and sometimes worst) parts of ourselves come to the surface. Being with people who can round us out in times of anxiety and stress usually means going out of your comfort zone and getting to know people whom you may not naturally interact with. You can make up for their shortcomings, and they can make up for yours!

There is a great website (you can find it HERE) to figure out how much you score with each personality factor, which takes about 10 minutes to complete. The test is similar to a love language test for those who’ve taken one before; it asks you specific questions that gauge each factor’s percentage for you and informs you what a high and low percentage indicates. Knowing everyone’s different personality types is essential in understanding how and why someone reacts in high-pressure scenarios. This can equip you with the tools needed to properly take into account not just your own abilities but how well they mesh (or clash) with your fellow players.

Escape rooms are highly dependent on the dynamic of the group. As a game master, one of the most disheartening things to see in a group is a lack of creativity and diverse thinking. With a strong comprehension of the players in your group, you can overcome this consistent obstacle and be a threat to those who are currently on the leaderboard of the fastest times escaped!

The Human mind-2

The Human Mind: A Double-Edged Sword

, , 0

Jackson Chavarria is a manager at Cross Roads Escape Games, has a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, and is working on his Master’s degree. Here is his take on interesting things he sees in our escape rooms through his psychology perspective.

We’ve all come across a problem that makes cognitive sense to us in how it should be solved, but then we realize that our method is not quite the right one. Our minds are constantly changing and learning the most efficient and effective solution in any given scenario, no matter how incredulous it may be.

If we come to a solution that doesn’t take much mental effort, it is semi-rewarding and doesn’t result in much change in our brains. They are fantastic in their abilities and can find shortcuts to complex problems. However, if we start to find the answer using extreme jumps of logic, our imperfect brains play a little trick on us. Because it has exhausted a ton of energy, it believes this must be the right way to figure out a puzzle.

This is typically not a huge issue, but it can quickly become unmanageable, and the player can find themselves in a trap some call “tunnel vision.” A player will start behaving as though their current train of thought is indisputable, frequently losing sight of other alternative methods for solving the problem. This can make the player irritable and unapproachable, derailing their fellow players from the correct path and losing precious time in an escape room.


Often it is stressful to be put in a situation where time is of the essence and you are thrown into an unknown environment. Your brain, scrambling to make sense of everything, is doing its best to aid in escape. Practically, if you feel yourself starting to slip into tunnel vision, these are some things I’ve found to be successful in helping stop this self-imposed obstacle.

1. BREATHE

As an aspiring psychologist, I’ve found that the #1 aid in reclaiming a calm mind is to breathe deeply. The best kind of breathing is an inhale for 5 seconds, and then an exhale for 7 seconds. Taking slow, intentional breaths lowers your heart rate, increases your awareness, and improves your state of mind.

2. TAKE A STEP BACK

We can begin to assign ourselves to a specific puzzle and make it our solo mission to figure out how to solve it. But there’s a reason escape rooms are typically played with others: some new insight! A fresh perspective may be just the thing that is missing from you and your group’s progression to the next puzzle.

3. CELEBRATE SMALL WINS

Each puzzle that you are presented with is meant to challenge your mind and make you begin to unravel the secrets that the room has for you. However, not permitting yourself to have a sense of pride and victory when you solve something is a factor that can make or break your mind’s clarity. Being your own cheerleader is sometimes one of the best things you can be for yourself!

Your brain is capable of being your greatest asset or your greatest enemy. Going into an escape room knowing these tips and tricks will help you be the reliable friend your friends will need!