National Escape Day (January 30th)

Quick facts
When is it?	Every January 30th
Tagged as:	Attitudes & Emotions Hobbies & Activities Life & Living Mental Health Relaxation
What are the hashtags?	#EscapeDay #TakeABreak #TimeToEscape #EscapeAndRelax #MentalHealthBreak #SelfCare #Relaxation #Escape #DayToEscape #SelfCareDay #EscapeYourRoutine #NationalEscapeDay
When was it founded?	2016
We first published this page on:	Sep 30th, 2022
We last updated this page:	Jan 4th, 2026

Contents

The month of January can be dark and cold in many places throughout the world. And after the time and energy spent on celebrating winter holidays like Christmas and New Year’s Day, the first couple of months of the new year can often be difficult and tiring. That makes this a great time to escape from the humdrum of normal life, get out of that routine, and get ready to enjoy something new and exciting!

History of National Escape Day

The idea of taking a vacation has been around for a long time, although it’s hard to trace it back exactly. In the past, the ability to take time to rest and escape from normal life would have typically been an option only for those who were particularly wealthy or powerful because average workers simply couldn’t afford to take the time off.

As the world has been industrialized and modern workers have gained rights for themselves related to safety and working conditions, the practice of taking paid vacations or paid time off has evolved. Today, at least in most developed countries, it is now commonplace to allow regular, full-time workers some sort of time off for rest and vacation.

In Europe, the standard is four weeks each year. In the United States there are no legal requirements for paid leave, but many companies offer from two weeks to four weeks or more (including sick days), based on seniority and other factors.

For many people, whether it’s taking a vacation or just taking a day off from the normal grind, the end of January is a perfect time for some “me time”. And that’s why National Escape Day was established as a reminder to get away for a day (or more if possible), gather yourself and come back refreshed and ready for the next thing!

National Escape Day Timeline

1911

Harry Houdini performs his great escape

Called his “Chinese water torture cell”, Houdini patents this trick and gains tons of media coverage.[1]

1979

Escape from Alcatraz film is released

Starring the venerable Clint Eastwood, this movie is based on a true story. [2]

1993

Europe legislates paid vacation time

Countries in the EU are required to provide at least 20 days (4 weeks) of paid leave per year.[3]

2007

First escape room is played

The first escape room to be officially played happens in Kyoto, Japan and the trend spreads from there. [4]

2016

First National Escape Day is celebrated

Encouraging people to get away from their normal routines, National Escape Day is established.

How to Celebrate National Escape Day

Whether it means getting out of the country, getting out of town, or simply taking the day off work and getting out the normal routine, National Escape Day is an important time to regular self care and restore balance to life. Consider some of these interesting ideas for celebrating the day, or get creative and come up with some of your own:

Get Out of Town

Throw a picnic lunch into the back of the car and head out of town for an adventure. Perhaps this means making a plan for a specific destination or it might just mean seeing where the road might take you at random. With opportunities to see the countryside or visit a city, take in a movie at a local cinema or grab lunch at a roadside cafe, getting away from it all can be a delight.

Escape into a Good Book

Sometimes the most realistic way for us to escape from our current situation is to get involved in the fantasy world of a good book! Fiction books are an especially good way to get out of the present world for a little while and escape into a world of fantasy where other people’s adventures and imagination await.

Consider one of these books for reading as an escape from reality:

The Midnight Library by Matt Haig. The main character in this intriguing novel happens upon the Midnight Library where she can see all of the other lives she might have lived if she had made different choices.
The Talented Mr. Ripley by Patricia Highsmith. This psychological thriller based in the 1950s offers a bit of an escape from reality because no one even knows exactly who the main character really is!
Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie. Really, any book by this author makes a great escape into the world of intrigue and mystery. This one, of course, features the great work of Hercule Poirot and a group of suspects.
My Family and Other Animals by Gerald Durrell. Telling the story of his English family’s adventures on the Greek island of Corfu when he was a child, Durrell’s biographical account reads more like a delightfully comedic novel.

Unplug for the Day

For those who don’t have the time or money to get away, or who just don’t feel like being away from home, perhaps consider taking National Escape Day as a time to escape from the world by turning off the wifi at home, muting the phone, and unplugging every from the outside world that might act as a distraction. Make plans to sleep late, create some art, go for a walk in nature, enjoy reading or play with your dog. Have everything unscheduled and unplugged and see what kind of small adventures might be possible!

Practice Some Self Care

Even if it’s not possible to take the whole day off of work for National Escape Day, perhaps it would be possible to take a couple of hours for a long lunch or take the afternoon off to schedule a massage, manicure or pedicure. Escape from the pressures of life by taking some special time out to relax, perhaps spend a bit of time in the sauna or whirlpool bath, or just take a bubble bath at home to ease away all of those worries and stress.

Escape on a Vacation

If it’s possible, one amazing way to celebrate National Escape Day is to get out of town on vacation to the beach or an island getaway. For parents, this might be a good time to leave the kids with grandma or grandpa and get away alone or as a couple. Grab that swimsuit and suntan lotion, book a flight and get off to somewhere warm to soak up some sunshine and get refreshed!

Whether booking through a travel agent or doing online research through travel websites, this is a great follow up from Shop for Travel Day!

Facts About Escape, Vacation, and the Need to Get Away

Stepping away from routine—physically or mentally—is more than a modern luxury. Across history, language, psychology, and workplace policy, the idea of “escape” has shaped how humans rest, recover, and stay resilient. These facts explore how paid vacation began, why breaks matter for mental health, and how even small forms of escape help us reset and thrive.

The Origin of Paid Vacation

The concept of paid vacation dates back to the early 20th century, with France being the first country to implement paid leave for workers in 1936. The idea quickly spread to other countries in Europe and beyond, establishing vacations as a standard employee benefit in many parts of the world.
Psychological Benefits of Taking a Break

Research shows that taking vacations or escaping routine contributes to improved mental health, reducing stress and preventing burnout. A study published in the journal Stress and Health found that leisure travel can have lasting positive effects on well-being and overall life satisfaction.

Escape Rooms: From Japan to a Global Phenomenon

The first live escape room was created in Kyoto, Japan, in 2007. Inspired by video games, the concept quickly spread globally and has since become a popular team-building and entertainment activity, fostering collaboration and problem-solving skills in participants.

The Etymology of “Escape”

The word “escape” traces its roots to the 13th century, derived from the Old French word ‘escaper,’ meaning “to flee” or “run away.” Over centuries, the meaning has broadened to include both physical and mental forms of getting away.
Paid Leave Disparities Across Countries

While European Union countries are legally required to provide a minimum of four weeks of paid leave, the United States does not mandate any paid vacation for workers, making it an outlier among developed nations. This leads to significant differences in how people are able to take time to escape work routines.
The Science of Mental Escapes

Engaging in activities such as reading fiction, daydreaming, or immersing oneself in creative projects can serve as mental escapes similar to vacations, boosting mood and cognitive flexibility. Psychologists recognize these “mini-escapes” as important for emotional regulation and mental resilience.

National Escape Day FAQs

How can I escape from reality?

Escaping from reality for a bit can be done through reading books, watching movies, taking a soak in a tub, going camping, making art and much more. [1]

How to play an escape room?

Playing an escape room usually involves solving puzzles, communicating as a team, finding clues and sharing discoveries.[2]

Do escape rooms have emergency exits?

For legal and safety reasons, most escape rooms have emergency exits, or may not actually lock people in at all.[3]

Who escaped from Alcatraz?

In 1962, three convicts escaped from Alcatraz: John Anglin, Clarence Anglin and Frank Morris.[4]

Are escape rooms scary?

There should usually be nothing to fear when playing an escape room and there’s nothing claustrophobic about them as it’s more of a mental game than anything else.[5]