Psychology experts: Watching the World Cup matches extends life and reduces premature death

There is no doubt that this year's World Cup in Qatar is full of excitement and fun, and whether you are a football fan or not, you definitely feel excited when you see your country progress in the qualifiers and reach the final rounds, or you feel heartbreak when you see your favorite team exit the World Cup Following a sudden defeat in the last moments of the match, or even by goal difference, due to the calculations of gain and loss at the end of the group stages.

Although traveling thousands of miles to watch the World Cup matches from the stands is a very difficult issue for the vast majority of people, psychology experts confirm that there are good scientific reasons why you should watch the World Cup matches on television, and they even list many health benefits that result from encouraging your favorite team. in the tournament.

In a report by the German News Agency (DPA), Kari Wieland, a professor of social psychology at Tulane University in New Orleans, USA, says that humans are social beings by nature, and the World Cup is a wonderful opportunity to communicate with others and find common social ground.

And she explains, in statements to the American “Popular Science” website that specializes in scientific research, that encouraging a soccer team makes you feel connected to something bigger than you, and it also creates a sense of identity in a person.

And the psychology expert points out the importance of the collective joy that a person feels while watching the World Cup matches, whether with family members or even with strangers in a public place such as a cafe or others, especially if the team you support scores one or more goals during the match, and she says: « When you share these positive emotions with others, it leads to strengthening these collective feelings and having a better emotional experience.”

Rather, watching the moments of defeat is also considered a collective experience that strengthens social bonds with others, says Wieland, who believes that social ties are also consolidated while commenting on the match on social media and analyzing the reasons that led to the defeat.

A study published in the scientific journal “Communication and Sport” specialized in sports psychology in 2019 concluded that encouraging the winning sports teams raises the level of respect or self-esteem for the fans for two days after the match, and although this information needs more scientific documentation, Wieland confirms the existence of A concept in psychology called “indulging in the glory resulting from the accomplishments of others.” It means that “a person is associated with the victory of others, given that they belong to the same group.” She says that immersion in encouragement makes the audience feel as if they are part of the team and participating in the victory .

This rule applies, she says, to fans of bands, supporters of political parties, or fans of sports teams, as they feel that their encouragement has helped the team they support win.

Wieland says that cheering teams in World Cup matches prolongs life, but that depends on your method of encouragement, whether you are sitting on the sofa throughout the match while staring at the screen in front of you, or you are jumping and reacting dynamically to every opportunity or attack during the match, and she explains that although This kind of enthusiastic encouragement does not amount to physical exercises, these small movements keep the body in a state of continuous movement and rejuvenate its activity.

Also, social communication in itself has a positive effect on prolonging a person’s life. Social relations and a sense of belonging while watching satisfied events are associated with improved physical and psychological health. Watching sports matches is associated with relieving symptoms of depression, which some studies have shown to reduce human life by 10 to 12 years per year. average.

So when you get the social support that comes from cheering for the World Cup matches, there is scientific evidence that you reduce the risk of premature death.

Researchers believe that immersing yourself in watching the World Cup matches helps relieve stress and temporarily distract you from the troubles of daily life.

Eric Zelmer, a neuropsychiatrist at Drexel University in Philadelphia, USA, says, “Watching teams celebrating victory in the World Cup may be a temporary escape from reality.” The vicissitudes of life and its variables.

"Sport makes us feel alive, and it is also a motivating element to find in ourselves qualities that we do not see," Zimler says in statements to the "Popular Science" website, meaning that sport is mainly about overcoming obstacles, and if that is possible in the world of sports, then it is It can actually be achieved.

Wieland believes that the World Cup matches may also be an incentive for some to exercise, and may inspire young children to participate in certain sports out of admiration for some football stars such as Lionel Messi or Kylian Mbappe.

Zelmer advises taking advantage of the World Cup matches as a motivating factor or as a reward for doing some heavy activities on the soul. I didn't go out for a run.

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