Sports fandom is basically free therapy — unless you’re a Carolina Panthers fan.
Researchers at Anglia Ruskin University studied more than 7,000 adults and found that people who watch sports, whether at the stadium or on TV, report higher life satisfaction, feel less lonely and show fewer symptoms of depression than those who don’t.
The science points to “social identity theory.” Humans are wired to form “in-groups,” and when we root for a team together, we build community. That community acts as an emotional buffer, which is why you feel like you’ve just won the lottery when your team scores a touchdown, even though your only contribution was yelling at the screen.
There’s even a term for the mental boost of riding a team’s success: “basking in reflected glory.” Your brain interprets the team’s win as your own win, rewarding you with feel-good chemicals. However, this means the opposite is also true. When your team loses, you’ll often “cut off reflected failure,” subconsciously distancing yourself from others to protect your mood.
In other words, a winning season can literally improve your mental health, while being stuck with the worst record in the league (hi again, Panthers) might do the opposite.
The bottom line: Watching sports is good for you, but watching a team that occasionally wins is even better. So if your Sundays revolve around heartbreak, science says bandwagoning isn’t the worst self-care strategy. Your therapist — and your blood pressure — might thank you.
