For millions of Americans, fantasy football is as synonymous with fall as pumpkin spice lattes and colorful leaves. Anyone in a league knows how exhilarating it is to see your team rise to the top throughout the season.
And now, due to its wild popularity, researchers are studying the effects of fantasy football on our health. Experts tend to agree that fantasy football can help you become healthier in body, mind and spirit by offering three main health advantages. Keep reading to learn more.
Social Benefits of Fantasy Football
Social interaction, experts say, can give your mental health a big boost and combat depression and anxiety. While people certainly aren’t as isolated now as they were during the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown, the U.S. surgeon general has declared loneliness and social isolation a national epidemic. Fantasy football can help connect you with other people with similar interests — and stay bonded with them throughout the season.
Cognitive Benefits of Fantasy Football
In many ways, a fantasy football team is like a puzzle. You must use complex reasoning skills to determine how a player will perform throughout the season. Finding different data sources to monitor the players over a few months is also important.
Brain health is a crucial part of your whole health and a way to prevent or delay dementia, Alzheimer's and other age-related cognitive challenges. Mental flexibility, cognitive flexibility, and logical reasoning are all skills you use less and less as you grow older, all of which are vital to participating in a fantasy football league.
Stress Relief Benefits of Fantasy Football
Don't underestimate the importance of entertainment and leisure activities for stress relief. The positive social interactions associated with fantasy football prompt the brain to release chemicals such as serotonin, which boosts your mood, and oxytocin, which can relieve stress. In turn, stress relief can lead to many health benefits, including lower blood pressure, musculoskeletal health and relief of chronic pain.
The Solid Support You Need, When You Need It
Of course, balance is always key in any hobby or pastime. Though you may participate in daily fantasy football games, we suggest not investing too much time or money. Instead, use your participation in a league to impact your life positively — and then walk away.
Sometimes, we know the stress of the game can also take a toll. If your blood pressure rises when your player is a bust, it may be time to take a break from the game. Pursuing other activities such as walking or running, lifting weights or playing your pick-up football games is a healthy way to manage your stress and stay active — so, do it for yourself (even when the 60-inch and a plate of nachos are calling your name).
From primary care providers who can give you more tips and tricks for protecting your health to providing behavioral health support when needed, our skilled and caring teams are ready to help you enjoy a record season.
