Samaritan Counseling Center Blog

A Super Bowl of Emotions
By Matthew Williams

Regardless which side you were rooting for, one thing is for certain

when it comes to this past weekend’s super bowl—it was a game for the ages. If you are a Falcons fan, I am sorry. If you are a Patriots fan, congratulations! Regardless of which team you rooted for, you may still be experiencing the after effects of such a spectacular event—the extreme highs and lows of your emotions.

Like most of the nation, I was a Falcons fan for a night. (Sorry Patriots, just cannot root for you.) I experienced great joy, anger, and ultimately sadness during the course of a four hour span—a lot of emotion and very drastic. Multiply that by 112 million, which was the viewership for Super Bowl 50. Why do we experience all of this emotion and how can we cope with it?

The world of sports is an interesting one. If you don’t believe me, look at Pittsburgh on a Monday morning after a Steelers loss. You would think everyone needed a counselor! (Which Samaritan can provide—I know, shameless plug) Or, look at some of the huge sporting events that happen across the world. It is guaranteed that at least one couch and maybe a car may be set ablaze by the losing team’s fans—not to mention the countless brawls between fan bases.

BUT WHY!? Why do we get so caught up in this world? According to an article by Dr. Ryan Martin in Psychology Today titled, “The Inciting Word of Sports,” there are basic psychological factors that explain this crazy phenomenon. One of these factors is reflected glory, which was coined by Robert Cialdini that described an individual’s ability “share” in the glory that resulted in someone else’s doing. This is best seen in sports when fans refer to a team’s win by saying “We won” or “We are going to the Super Bowl” when in reality that fan had no realistic impact on that team.

Another factor is tension. This goes hand in hand with sharing in the glory of a team. If the stakes rise during a game, it can lead to higher levels of anxiety. As a result, one may experience the feeling of being on edge or even violent, especially when the event is not going the way he/she thought it would. For some fans, their team losing a game can have catastrophic consequences, leading them to do things (like setting fires, inciting fights and destroying property) that may be out of their norm.

Fortunately, there are some simple solutions to avoid developing a frenzied state of mind. 

One of the most important things you can do is keep everything in perspective. It is nothing more than a game, something that should be enjoyed, not a source of anger, hostility, or depression. Think realistically about what the win or loss means for you, the fan. Knowing what makes you upset or angry during a sporting event (or any event) is the first step in awareness and relaxation. Recognizing what triggers the anxiety and anger can help you cope through different relaxation techniques.

One of my personal favorites is called the Limp Noodle which is a Progressive Muscle Relaxation Technique. This technique was shared with me by one of our counselors, Lynda Bradley and is commonly used to help relieve stress, anxiety, and feelings of physical discomfort. To do this is very simple:

1.     Sit on edge of chair

2.     Back straight and feet planted firmly on ground.

3.     Bend over at the waist allowing your arms to dangle to the floor.

4.     Take deep slow breaths, allowing the muscles in your body relax.

5.     Calm the mind by clearing it and focusing on a spot on the floor.

6.     Do all of this for a few moments; your body will tell you when it’s time to rise.

7.     Slowly bring yourself back up, taking slow and deep breaths.

8.     Bring your hands in front of you, interlock your fingers and place them on the back of your head.

9.     Lean back with your hands behind you head and breathe deeply and slowly.

A perfect posture for watching the game in peace (or as close to peaceful as possible)!

Dr. Martin also recommends limiting the banter with friends and family. Stress does not only come from the game, but also from those around you. While it may start out as friendly teasing between friends and family, it can quickly erupt into a source of anger and more stress.

Finally, there is simple avoidance. If you know something is going to cause unwanted stress, there is no shame in avoiding the conflict. Recognizing the stressors in your life and avoiding them while you learn how to cope is a healthy way to keep your mind on point. (That doesn’t mean avoiding everything altogether.) Watching sports is a choice, going to the in-laws is not!

You can be passionate about the game, but not when it comes with a price that adversely affects not only you, but those around you, it’s time for a reality check. Sooner or later, you are going to have to sit and listen to your friends and family rave on about how great the Patriots are and how Tom Brady is “Greatest of all time…”