Healthy Guidelines for the Fall Sports Season

By Lacey Willett

Sports seasons often can engross fans in a way their families rarely see.  For example, football season is a very exciting time of year.  The game of football can bring about a sense of pride, euphoria, and downright giddiness.  However, football can also bring about feelings of stress, anger, and frustration.  Following these simple tips can ensure that you remain an intense but mannerly fan this season. 

• Relax! Breathe deeply.  Slowly repeat a calm word or phrase such as “Take it easy, there are still 30 minutes left in the game and we can turn this thing around.” 
• Use imagery.  Visualize a relaxing experience, such as you tossing the pigskin around with your favorite player.
• Engage in slow yoga-like exercises.  This will relax your muscles and make you feel much calmer.  You can also use this peaceful time to pray for your favorite team; A little help from upstairs can never hurt.
• Reason and perspective help. Try replacing your angry thoughts with more rational ones.  For instance, instead of telling yourself, “Oh, it’s awful! Florida will never get a BCS bowl now!” try telling yourself, “It’s frustrating and it’s understandable that I’m upset, but it’s not the end of the world. UF will still beat FSU.”
• Control your blood-pressure. Remind yourself that getting angry is not going to fix anything, and it won’t make you feel any better about that referee’s terrible call.
• Use humor.  It can give you a better perspective on the situation.  When you get angry and want to call fans from the opposing team names or imaginative phrases, stop and picture what that word would literally look like.  If you can, draw a picture of what your clever insult would actually look like.  This technique will help take some of the edge off of your fury.
• Don’t hold grudges.  It is important to try to forgive the other team when things don’t go your way.  After all, it is highly likely that at some point you will be the one taunting the other team and singing “We are the Champions” as you leave the stadium.
• Consider changing your environment.  If the stress of the season gets to be too much, take a break.  Spend a game day at the opera or ballet.  By next week’s kickoff, you will likely have a new perspective on the game you love.
• The start of football season can also be a time where relationships with avid fans can put stress on their significant others.  Not everyone can be engrossed in a game involving grown men trying to muscle their way up and down a field for much of an afternoon.  For significant others during this sports season, it is best to care for your own needs, rather than try to change one’s game-entranced fan.  Redefine game day as “spa day”, “beach day”, “book-reading day” etc. 

This column is presented by Manatee Glens. . . Helping Families in Crisis through Mental Health and Addiction Services and supports the community through prevention and recovery.. This not-for-profit health care provider delivers services from seven Manatee County locations including the Manatee Glens East, located at 5233 4th Avenue Circle East on State Road 64. Manatee Glens welcomes your questions about mental health and substance abuse matters. For further information, call 941-782-4299 or send an e-mail to exeoffice@manateeglens.com.

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