Unveiled Research Highlights an Unexpected Source of Stress in Our Lives
Sports fandom can bring a great deal of joy and excitement, but it can also lead to increased stress levels during live games. A study reveals that cortisol levels in fans typically surge during a match, as cortisol is a stress hormone released in response to heightened emotional and physiological arousal.
This cortisol release is strongly influenced by the fan's emotional attachment to the team. Fans who are more emotionally invested tend to exhibit higher cortisol elevations compared to casual viewers or neutral observers. This is because their stress response intensifies due to deeper personal stakes and identification with the team's success or failure.
Emotional attachment amplifies cortisol release, leading to sharper spikes in cortisol levels during key moments like close scores or critical plays. Studies on competitive gamers, who also have significant emotional and cognitive investment, show elevated cortisol comparable to professional athletes during competition. This suggests that spectators with strong allegiance can experience substantial neuroendocrine stress responses.
Conversely, if the emotional attachment is lower, the cortisol response is attenuated, as the game is perceived as less personally significant, resulting in less endocrine activation.
The release of cortisol impacts the body by increasing alertness and preparing it to handle stress. However, high or prolonged cortisol may also lead to negative effects like disrupted sleep or increased anxiety if the stress is chronic.
To manage emotions effectively during a game, it's crucial to develop a coping strategy that works best for you. This could involve distraction, reframing, relaxation techniques, self-talk, or taking a break to regain composure and return to the game with a refreshed mindset. Sharing experiences with others can help diffuse intense emotions and foster a sense of camaraderie, while channeling emotions into positive activities like cheering for the team, engaging in humor, or participating in hobbies can help manage emotional responses.
Remember, it's important to keep things in perspective. Events like sports are just games, and there are more important aspects of life to focus on. Maintaining a balanced outlook on emotional investment in sports can help enjoy the excitement without letting it consume.
Sources:
- Body Language in Sports: How to Improve Your Winning Streak
- What is Emotional Contagion? How to Harness Your Feelings
- The Emotion Wheel: How to Use it And Master Your Emotions
Developing a coping strategy for managing emotions during sports like mental health techniques or self-talk can help prevent the intensification of stress responses. On the other hand, mental health activities such as yoga, meditation, or reading may contribute positively to health-and-wellness by reducing cortisol levels and promoting relaxation, especially for those who are less emotionally invested in sports.
