Keyes is one of many psychologists who view the World Cup, which is held every four years, as part of the quest to answer this question: What do people get out of watching sports? And the important follow-up: Does being a sports fan come with any benefits for health?
Using data from a survey of more than 7,000 people in the U.K., Keyes and her colleagues set out in 2023 to see whether attending a live sporting event in the last year changed people’s self-reported anxiety, loneliness, and sense that life was worth living, among other measures. They also looked at links between these factors and demographic data, such as whether people were employed, their health status, and their gender. The games didn’t have to be high-priced events with professional players; local matches between amateurs counted, too.
A 2020 study by another group found that watching sports on TV also positively affected life satisfaction and well-being, but it did not reduce loneliness the way being there in person does, says Keyes.
Does being a sports fan improve well-being?
Anyone who has felt the incredible highs and lows of following a sports match might wonder: Is this a net benefit? "They know going in that there's a 50% chance that when they are finished consuming this product, they are going to be cranky,” says Daniel Wann, a social psychologist at Murray State University in Kentucky who has studied sports fandom for decades. The question has inspired a lot of psychological research, including on the phenomena of CORFing and BIRGing: acronyms for “cutting off reflected failure,” or distancing oneself from a team when they lose, and “basking in reflected glory” when they win.
The regular cycles of sports also provide a kind of structure to fans’ lives. Someone might remember where they were during the last World Cup, or they might be planning their Super Bowl parties a full year ahead of time. These rituals are comforting, says Wann, and give people something to look forward to.
As the World Cup gets under way, fans around the world will congregate not only at stadiums, but in places where they can cheer on teams together. “I'm sure there are a lot of psychologists in that crowd,” Keyes says, “asking all of those fans what's making this special for them, about being with each other.”
Hence then, the article about why watching sports makes people happy was published today ( ) and is available on Time ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Why Watching Sports Makes People Happy )
Also on site :