Undoubtedly, the Edmonton Oilers’ playoff run has been a standout, one of the most thrilling in recent memory! As a dedicated Edmonton Oilers fan, you must have been on an emotional rollercoaster during this playoff run, perhaps even experiencing what’s known as ‘Sports Fan depression.’

While Sports fan depression is not an officially recognized mental health disorder, it is a descriptive term that represents the emotional solid connections that sports fans have with their specific sports team, outcomes of games, and seasons.

But remember that being a sports fan has its fair share of pros. It’s not all about the lows; there are also highs:

A sense of community and belonging: Sports fandoms of teams provide community and an opportunity to connect with others who share the same passion for the team or sport.

Rush of endorphins: Celebrating victories and sharing your team’s victories will bring along positive feelings of joy, excitement, and happiness, which all positively impact one’s mental health.

Stress relief: Watching sports can relieve stress and escape from our everyday stress and worries.

During high-stress moments like the Stanley Cup final, the highs are often accompanied by lows, highlighting the inevitable blend of positives and negatives. The negatives that are attributed to sports fan depression are;

Emotional rollercoaster: This one is a given. There are a lot of intense emotional ups and downs, leading to increased anxiety and stress during high-stakes games.

Frustration and anger: High-stakes games such as playoff games and finals can elicit very strong negative emotions such as frustration, anger, and disappointment, which can weigh on one’s mental health.

Low self-esteem: Associating your team’s performance can lead to a sense of self-worth being tied to your teams success or failure, which can impact your self-esteem and overall mood.

So that begs the question, amid this thrilling and stressful Stanley Cup final. How the heck do we stay calm? Here are some tips on how to best handle playoff stress and sports fan depression;

Put things into perspective: The media can play a part in portraying championship games as a literal make-or-break, with the addition of your own emotions being higher than usual. It is important to remember that it is just a game, and your life will be relatively unaffected, win or lose.

Stay Social: Just because your favourite sports team’s season is over doesn’t mean you should stop socializing and making plans with your friends. Remaining social after the end of the season can lessen the mood.

Talk it out: Connect with other fellow sports fans to discuss your disappointment, joy, or overall thoughts on your sports team and their season. It can help to know others share your feelings and serve as a reminder that you are not alone.