SYSK TRENDING - The Extraordinary Benefits of Watching Sports

With all of the recent excitement surrounding the NBA & Stanley Cup finals and the World Cup you might wonder why do millions of people spend hours every week watching sports? Most people think of it as entertainment, a way to relax or pass the time. But what if watching sports is actually doing something good for your mind, your emotions, and even your health? That’s why today’s SYSK Trending topic is A lot of people look at sports fans and wonder what all the fuss is about. Why invest so much time and emotion in a team you don't play for and have no control over? Why let a win make your day or a loss ruin your mood? It turns out there may be a lot more going on than simple entertainment. Researchers have discovered that being a sports fan can provide surprising benefits for your physical health, mental wellbeing, and social life. Following a team can create a sense of belonging, strengthen social connections, reduce feelings of loneliness, and even help people cope with stress and adversity. In some cases, the benefits are remarkably similar to those that come from being part of a close-knit community. Sports fandom also gives people something increasingly rare in modern life: a shared experience. In a world where entertainment, news, and social media are highly personalized, millions of people still gather around the same games, celebrate the same victories, and suffer through the same defeats together. Larry Olmsted joins me to explain why sports fans may be happier, healthier, and more connected than non-fans. We discuss the science behind fandom, why rooting for a team can be good for your emotional health, how sports help build relationships, and why being a fan is about much more than the final score. Larry is a journalist and author of Fans: How Watching Sports Makes Us Happier, Healthier and More Understanding (https://amzn.to/2T6YUs1). Whether you're a die-hard fan, a casual observer, or someone who has never understood sports at all, this conversation may change the way you think about what it means to be a fan. PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AIR DOCTOR: Head to ⁠⁠⁠https://AirDoctorPro.com⁠⁠⁠ and use promo code SYSK to get $250 off select AirDoctor air purifiers, including the 3500, 4000, and 5500 models. Plus, you’ll receive a free 3year warranty!  RULA: Thousands of people are already using Rula to get affordable, high-quality therapy that’s actually covered by insurance. Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://Rula.com/sysk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to get started. QUINCE: Elevate your summer wardrobe. Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://Quince.com/sysk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too! SHOPIFY: It's time to turn those "what ifs" into CHA CHING with Shopify Today! Sign up for your $1 per month trail and start selling today at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://Shopify.com/sysk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices