Super Bowl produces super-sized hangover for fans with health concerns

Based on a review of social networking the day after Super Bowl XLVI, millions of fans - who are either pleased or unhappy about the New York Giants beating the Patriots’ 21-17 - are today depressed and hung-over.

After Sunday’s Super Bowl victory – with the New York Giants beating the New England Patriots 21-17 – Super Bowl XLVI MVP Eli Manning said in an NBC TV interview that the Patriots sudden touchdown right before halftime, and then another on the Pat’s first possession of the third quarter, that it “could’ve sucked the momentum right out of us. But we responded.” In turn, many non-Giants fans (and they are millions across the U.S.) who know every player’s stats by heart, have closets full of team gear, and never, ever, miss a game, are seriously hung-over -- both mentally and physically today -- because they let a game of football "suck the life out of them, for good or bad." There’s even a joke in Eugene about big weekend football games, that warns one “not to have your car or anything else serviced on a Monday after a major football victory or loss.” Thus, it’s no surprise that health experts are warning about “the nation's hangover” this Feb. 6 -- the day after a super Super Bowl that came down to a Hail Mary pass at the end -- with the Giants upsetting the Patriots and many other Americans.

Also, based on a review of social networking sites such as Twitter and Facebook, many Americans today are vexed and even physically and mentally ill after spending most of their weekend involved in Super Bowl activities -- that are more or less tied to super-sized self indulgence that does little or nothing to really make them or their family and friends happy -- this day after the Giants Super Bowl victory.

Moreover, there is an alarming rise in suicide, spouse and child abuse and other social ills after something as massive as a Super Bowl "lost" weekend.

Super Bowl hangover real because it hurts

According to dietsinreview.com – that featured a Feb. 6 headline on its website stating “Recovering from post-Super Bowl depression – there are “hormonal changes involved with postpartum depression” that’s akin to the way many millions of Americans are feeling today after gorging on too much TV, too much junk food, too much beer and booze, too many sexy Super Bowl commercials and too much identity with a game played by multi-millionaires who seem to pout like children when they loose.

In fact, dietsinreview.com pointed to “six things you can do to help you recover from Super Bowl XLVI” and avoid this super-sized Super Bowl mental and physical hangover; while health experts note this post-Super Bowl depression impacts both Giants and Patriots fans today.

The experts advise that you eat “healthy food” this Monday, Feb. 6, day after the Super Bowl even while there are still lots of left over hot wings, chips and beer to tempt you.

Also, experts say to “find something to anticipate,” because after “such and exciting week and intense game, getting back to the daily grind is likely to feel like a grind.” For instance, why not plan now to make your sweetie or parents happy on Valentine’s Day?

Another important way to cope after some late night’s this past weekend is to now focus on getting enough sleep. Simply put, the Super Bowl parties are over and now it’s time to get those needed 8-hours-of sleep.

At the same time, get off that chair and stop viewing others online living their lives and get out and exercise. Mental health experts say that walking is a great natural stress reliever and its “super” for your mental and physical health.

Moreover, doctors say the best hangover cure – after attending Super Bowl parties that featured lots of booze that both dehydrates and depresses you, since alcohol is a depressant – is to drink lots, and lots of water. And, after you drink your eight glasses of water, get out of the house and remind yourself that life doesn’t just happen on TV or online. Fresh air is great to clear your head after a Super Bowl hangover.

Serious football fans are unhealthy

According to Parade magazine from Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 5, if you think about it, “the biggest fans are more devoted to their team than the players are,” says Daniel Cavicchi, an associate professor of American studies at the Rhode Island School of Design. “An NFL player loves football; if he gets traded, he switches his allegiance. A die-hard fan loves the team.”

In fact, Parade reported “that’s one of the biggest ways that super fans differ from casual fans.”

Also, experts also noted how “most fans will trumpet their connection to a team when it’s victorious (“we’ve won!”), but distance themselves after a defeat (“they lost”). But a super fan stays committed no matter what. They’re grateful to the star player for bringing a victory, but if that player leaves the team, their allegiance doesn’t travel.”

Signs you’re a super fan who needs to get a life for the sake of your mental health -- because “it’s just a football game” -- from the Feb. 5 edition of Parade magazine:

-- If your team wins their next game, they’ll make the playoffs – but it’s an away game. The farthest you’d be willing to drive to see them if you’re a super fan is “across the country; even if it meant sleeping in your car.”

-- The total number of items in your house that bear your team’s logo is “too numerous to count” if you’re a super fan, “and anyway, does the matching toilet seat and tank cover count as one item or two?”

-- You’re watching the last half of a playoff game on TV when your wife announces she’s gone into labor. A super fan calls a neighbor to ask if he can drive her to the hospital. It’s not like the baby will be there in a half an hour, right?”

-- You are allowed to take one thing with you to a desert island. I super fan chooses “a hand-crank radio. Who needs civilization if there’s a chance you can still tune in to games?”

-- When your neighbor sees you outside on a Sunday morning during football season, he says: “Wow! Is that you under all that paint? The logo shaved into your head is a nice touch. Let me help you with those kegs.”

-- You pride yourself in knowing the following information about your team: “The make, model, and color of the car driven by the team’s original owner. Which you bought on eBay and have parked in your garage.”

-- You would name your first child after your favorite player, if that player was Eli Manning and not Tom Brady.

-- When you die, you would like: “To have your corpse decked in head-to-toe team gear at the funeral parlor, holding a remote and propped in a recliner.”

At the end of the day, health experts say these statements about so-called “super fans” is not far from real life for many football fans in America today who sometimes forget that love, and not football, is the final word, and if football is keeping you from spending time with your spouse, kids or other family and friends, it’s not such a good thing and that’s why you have such a powerful Super Bowl hangover today.

Image source of the movie poster from “The Hangover Part II,” a 2011 comedy film about men who focus too much on having fun that involves getting drunk and high at the expense of others. Photo courtesy Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hangover:_Part_II

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