Let's go Oilers!

Hockey Fandom and Its Highs and Lows

For die-hard fans, game days, especially the playoffs, are like Christmas morning, with excitement and anticipation. But things can get a little tense when the game doesn't go our way. We have great hopes for the Oilers.  However, following them or other sports teams can bring challenges into our homes that can cause family discord. Let's examine this:  It's game night, and the energy in our living room is palpable. As loyal fans we are decked out in team gear, snacks are ready, and the TV is tuned to the big game. As the puck drops, emotions run high. With every goal, the joy is contagious; victory feels within reach. But when the tide turns and the team struggles, that excitement can quickly turn to frustration. Arguments break out as tensions rise. One person wants to keep watching, hoping for a miraculous comeback, while another suggests changing the channel to spare themselves the agony of defeat. And if the worst happens and the team loses? There's no shortage of colourful language and heated debates about what went wrong.  It's easy to feel like the universe is conspiring against your team, especially when calls don't go their way, or the referees seem to have it out for them. But amidst the disappointment and frustration, there's a lesson to be learned about managing our emotions and finding harmony, even in the face of defeat.

The Psychology Behind Our Fandom

Our brains play a significant role in coping with the emotional rollercoaster of sports fandom. When our team is winning, our brains enjoy the release of dopamine and serotonin, which are associated with pleasure and happiness. This flood of positive emotions reinforces our attachment to our team and keeps us returning for more. However, our brains undergo a different chemical reaction when our team loses. Stress hormones like cortisol flood our system, triggering the fight-or-flight response and intensifying our emotional reaction to the game. This can lead to heightened frustration, anger, and even helplessness as we watch our team struggle on the ice.

So, how can we enjoy the highs of sports fandom while mitigating the lows?

It's all about perspective and finding healthy coping mechanisms. It's natural to feel disappointed when our team doesn't perform as we'd hoped. But dwelling on the negatives only serves to sour the experience. Instead, focus on the positives – the camaraderie of cheering with friends, the thrill of a close game, and the sheer joy of being part of something bigger than us.

When disappointment threatens to overwhelm us, we must step back and remember that sports are ultimately just a game. Yes, they can be a source of joy and excitement, but they shouldn't dictate our mood or define our happiness. By maintaining a healthy sense of detachment and perspective, we can weather the highs and lows of fandom with grace and resilience.

Of course, there are times when the emotional toll of sports fandom feels too much to bear. Heading to counselling in Edmonton may seem to be a different way of handling things. Still, by unpacking our thoughts and feelings in counselling about our favourite team and what sports symbolize, we can gain insight into our emotional responses and learn healthy coping strategies. Whether it's a distraction from real-world stressors or a source of added frustration, counselling can help us navigate the complex world of sports fandom with greater ease and understanding.