You’ve heard of a ‘smash room’. Now, step inside a ‘paint splash room’

Drenching yourself in colour is definitely joyful. Yet it’s also soothing to finger-paint and use sponges to create swirls on the perspex wall.

Drenching yourself in colour is definitely joyful. Yet it’s also soothing to finger-paint and use sponges to create swirls on the perspex wall.

The whole experience proves so immersive that my half-hour session flies by and I emerge exhilarated. Mohamed isn’t shocked by my reaction, saying the most common response from people is surprise. “People go, ‘Wow, we didn’t expect that something so simple could be so effective in terms of a release.’ It’s almost therapeutic.”

It’s a view supported by clinical psychologist Dr Jodie Lowinger, founder of Sydney’s The Anxiety Clinic. She says that bottling up our feelings can lead to a loss of emotional control, which then increases stress levels, anxiety, anger and agitation. “When we allow emotional expression in safe and healthy ways, it can actually lead to a decrease in emotional intensity and have a positive impact on our mental health,” says Lowinger.

Being creative also anchors us in the present, rather than allowing thoughts to wander to future worries. Because you’re there to enjoy the experience, not produce a work of art, there’s no space for perfectionism, either.

Lowinger says any creative pursuit, whether it’s drawing, painting, dancing or baking – can lead to similar rewards. That is, as long as your focus is on the activity itself, rather than the outcome.

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If you choose to paint the town red, where better to let loose than in a room designed for that purpose? No matter what brings you to the Splash room, Mohamed says you’re bound to leave feeling buoyed: “No one has ever left without a smile.”

Evelyn Lewin is a GP and freelance writer.

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