Watching the World Cup? It Might Be Good for Your Mental Health

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Source: Image by Pexels from Pixabay

Every four years, the world comes together to watch national teams compete in soccer’s biggest tournament. Whether you are a soccer fan or not, the spectacle is exciting and the talent is impressive. Soccer not your sport? You also have the option to watch Wimbledon, the oldest annual tennis tournament going on now in London. It is quieter, but no less exciting. The rest of the year, you have a panoply of sports to watch, both at the amateur and professional levels.

I am fortunate enough to be the primary therapist for the Washington Capitals, the National Hockey League team in DC. When I attend the games, I see how energized the fan base is. I also see the camaraderie of fans “high-fiving” and singing together. Intuitively, it makes sense that watching sports would be positive for one’s mental health, especially in person. Fortunately, we have research data that helps support this.

Multiple studies have explored the potential benefit of attending a sporting event. Helen Keyes, a cognitive psychologist at Anglia Ruskin University in England and colleagues found that attending a sporting event:

• Improved self-reported anxiety
• Decreased loneliness
• Enhanced the sense that life is worth living

This finding is for attending both professional and amateur sporting events, which is encouraging, since current World Cup tickets are currently selling for well over $1,000.

But what about watching on television? It does not appear to reduce the sense of loneliness since it lacks the in-person bonding experience. However, some of the other benefits remain intact, such as positively impacting life satisfaction and well-being (Lera-López et al., 2021). This lowers the bar substantially as approximately 97% of Americans own at least one television, according to Nielsen research.

How can you take advantage of these wellness benefits? Consider the following:

• Research the schedule for your local college or high school sports teams. Professional games are exhilarating but can be pricey.
• Watch a few games on television of your favorite sport. Once you get to know some of the players and their personalities, it can be fun to root for them, even from the comfort of your couch.
• Connect with friends who might have similar sports interests or team affiliations. This way, you can attend a game together or just share the camaraderie of watching your team on television.
• Consider a World Cup “watch party.” Many cities are broadcasting the matches in downtown areas, block parties, or restaurants.

Sport is huge in America and across the world. Why not embrace the opportunity to join in the celebration and excitement of sports, be it local or global?