Super Bowl LVI attracted millions of people; football is America’s most popular sport, and even casual fans tuned in to see the action. While individuals may never grasp entirely why they feel compelled to yell and shout from the stands, sports like the Super Bowl can be helpful for mental health in the context of leisure and the free expression of emotions. Observing sports creates a sense of participation in the displayed events, which allows people to enhance their communication skills and release emotional tension through shouting and cheering (Inoue et al., 531). Whether the team won or lost, the essential truth is that watching the game develop may give some people a major mental lift.
People do not experience the ecstasy of success or the profound disappointment of defeat just because they are not on the field. Whether or not they consider themselves sports lovers, spectators are very likely to feel deep engagement and excitement while watching the game. Because of this, they can feel a highly distinguished disappointment when the team they were rooting for loses or pure joy if it wins. Thus, the game provokes strong emotions which are not that likely to occur within day-to-day life settings, which results in a deeper feeling of satisfaction due to a higher emotional range.
In conclusion, watching such games as Super Bowl and LVI can be a good influence on one’s overall well-being. While being a good leisure option, the game’s environment also allows the spectators to express their emotions more openly and experience the actions within the game more intensely. This way, Super Bowl serves an entertainment and liberation purpose, engaging people and contributing to their overall enjoyment and satisfaction, positively affecting their mental health.
Reference
Inoue, Y., Wann, D. L., Lock, D., Sato, M., Moore, C., & Funk, D. C. (2020). Enhancing older adults’ sense of belonging and subjective well-being through sport game attendance, team identification, and emotional support. Journal of aging and health, 32(7-8), 530-542.