You can do a lot of things to improve your mood and your overall well-being, such as using Himalayan salt lamps and developing a meditation practice. But did you know that being a sports fan can actually be good for you also?
The benefits aren’t just in the excitement of watching your team win. There are many benefits in cheering for a team, either as a die-hard fan or a casual observer.
Here are just a few of the ways that being a sports fan can be good for you:
Offers You a Creative Outlet
Creativity and sports seem to be on opposite ends of the spectrum, but they can actually go hand in hand. When your sports season arrives, you can decorate your home in ways that show your team pride. Maybe you put out flowers in your team colors, or maybe you hang flags or posters that show your affiliation.
You can also channel your creativity in your cooking. Maybe you come up with a football-shaped cheese ball, or maybe you create a sheet cake with its own putting green. Whether it’s the cooking or the decorating, you can express yourself and enjoy rooting for your team at the same time.
Inspires Positive Emotions
Rooting for a team makes you feel happy and excited. Even when your team is losing, you feel good rooting for them because you are connected with something larger than yourself. Coming home and turning on a game can help you relax and recover after a long day at work. Cheering for your team can make you forget about what’s ailing you and it can shake you out of a slump.
Promotes Bonding
Watching a game on TV or attending a game in person is a great way to spend time with friends or family. Head out with friends for the weekend to tail gate and cheer on your team from the stands. Or invite friends over for a party while you watch the game on the big screen.
Sports are also great for bonding with your children or other family members. With children, you can instill a love of the game and share more about yourself, helping you to feel closer. The quality time together may also open up opportunities for discussion about things that are going on with your children, which will deepen your relationship and improve your sense of well-being.
Makes Small Talk Easy
Social gatherings can be anxiety-inducing. If you have a hard time with small talk, social gatherings can make you feel awkward and deflate your self-esteem. Sports make small talk just a little easier. Just about everyone watches sports, so most people will have an opinion about the latest game or the winning team.
Just be careful! You don’t want some friendly small talk to turn into a passionate argument if you find out that you root for rival teams.
Being a sports fan can be more than just a hobby. It can actually make your life better. So sit down to the game without guilt and enjoy rooting for your favorite team!