If you get too worked up watching the Spurs, there are ways to bring that stress level down.
SAN ANTONIO — Friday night is a big one for the San Antonio Spurs as they could secure the win to the next round, but it is also a big night for Spurs fans. Glaring at the game can be fun with friends, but it can also string out your stress level.
Whether the Spurs win or lose tonight, if you are too involved in the game it can burn your brain if you get too anxious watching, and that can result in physical symptoms too that you may be unaware of.
Christian Straka, a mindfulness based mental performance specialist and founder of “MindSize Sports” said, “Whatever kind of, reactivity you have during these games, it’s kind of part of why it is so exciting. So rather than trying to not feel anxious, you can kind of embrace and welcome the anxiety because it’s kind of just why you like watching so much.”
There’s actually a term for this…”Fanxiety.” It is the stress, worry, or physical nervousness experienced when a fan is deepy connected to a team’s performance.
To manage your “Fanxiety” the Cleveland Clinic says take a time out of the game becomes too overwhelming. Use deep breathing to calm down.
“Something called the physiological sigh. You do a long inhale followed by another inhale at the very end when you like kind of feel like you can’t inhale anymore. And then you do a long exhale and if you do that five, six times, you will feel a noticeable decrease in, the activation of your nervous system,” Straka added.
Dr. Zhi Gang Sha, a world renown healer and author of “Tao Calligraphy” told us, “Close your eyes for one minute. Inhale the source of light. Come to your heart. Totally, relax.”
Also, put it into perspective and remind yourself it is just a game. Burn energy before the game to relax your nervous system. And prepare for a negative outcome just in case a loss happens.
Experts say to watch your alcohol consumption as it can heighten your emotions and stress level.
“You will react in a way that will not be beneficial for yourself, for the interaction with your friends that you’re watching with or your family, then it might be, a better choice to maybe minimize how much you drink,” said Straka.