Pepe’s outburst secured him a red card, Spain’s “golden oldies” fumble around, and hosting Brazil is seemingly not living up to its admittedly sky-high expectations. How are fans going to keep their cool? We see the emotion-filled stadiums, but what about the living room and local pub viewers? They’re more than likely screaming at the telly, as they enjoy a few frosty beers, bite their nails, say silent prayers and hang from edge their seats.
Here are few tips on “how to keep your cool” during the Soccer World Cup:
Take a walk
During halftime, or even before the match begins, go for a walk. This will help your body to release feel-good endorphins into your bloodstream and help reduce levels of anxiety and stress. For the best results, make sure that your walk is outdoors.
Wiggle Wiggle
If the weather is too gloomy for a walk at halftime, and you don’t want to leave the comfort of the sofa, wiggling your toes and clasping your hands on the top of your head will release chest pressure.
A teaspoon of laughter
Telling jokes or funny stories that are unrelated to the match will help to decrease stress levels for up to 45 minutes. Laughter also helps to:
- Defend against respiratory infections.
- Lower blood pressure
- Give your diaphragm, respiratory and facial muscles a workout.
Time-out
Take a moment after the game to be alone. This time and space away, after the match, will help you to calm down and reduce your stress levels.
These tips will not only get you through the next few weeks of soccer, but also do your health a world of good.