- An expert reveals how to beat post-Euros blues, as UK searches for ‘Euros depression’ soared 636% over the past 30 days.
- Searches peaked at the weekend, after the England men’s team faced a devastating loss against Luis de la Fuente’s Spanish team, who brought home the trophy.
- A mental health expert has offered advice for fans who are feeling blue after the tournament and encourages others not to diminish these feelings.
A mental health expert has issued advice for fans struggling with post-footie blues this summer, as Google Trends data analysed by treatment centre Origins Recovery reveals a sharp rise in searches for ‘Euros depression’ after the event.
Speaking on the phenomenon, a spokesperson at Origins Recovery, says: “Although not clinically recognised, post-football depression occurs because fans experience a rush of endorphins which cause happiness during the event, based on the anticipation of their team doing well.
“These hormones drop after the match ends, particularly when a team loses, which can result in feelings of sadness and emptiness, and a loss of interest in usual activities.”
“This is a temporary feeling, but it can feel overwhelming and intense. This is especially true if the match you attended felt like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity amidst a huge tournament like the Euros or was something you looked forward to for a while in advance.
“Feelings to look out for that may indicate post-match depression include mood fluctuations, feeling worthless, feeling sad or ‘empty,’ struggling to enjoy your day-to-day life, and physical symptoms like fatigue, difficulty sleeping, and appetite changes.”
The spokesperson for Origins Recovery also offers advice on how to counteract this post-match drop in endorphins, saying: “It is important to lessen the impact of post-football depression before symptoms worsen, as the feelings of low mood shouldn’t persist for longer than a month – if so, it may be time to seek professional support.”
He offers the following tips to anyone who feels they may be struggling:
1) Reach out to people.
A major benefit of the matchday experience is the sense of community. Whether you watched the game in person, or at your local pub, fans are often surrounded by like-minded people, and before the game will chat to others about their expectations. It is important to keep in touch with your friends, particularly others who might have been watching the game with you, for support and to maintain the social element that you enjoyed.
2) Maintain a consistent sleep schedule.
If the pre-match excitement kept you awake, or the event resulted in a late night at the pub, this can have a knock-on effect on your sleep schedule. A lack of sleep can disrupt your circadian rhythms and leave you feeling disorientated, adding to the post-football melancholy. Reverting to the sleep schedule you had before the match is key.
3) Talk about your experiences.
Whether you’re recounting the events of the game to your buddies, or posting on social media, it’s important to share the happiness and pride you felt during the tournament, as a way of relieving it. It is equally important to talk about how you’re feeling now, both to connect with others and to understand your own emotions.
4) Watch another game.
Whether it’s supporting a local friendly, or watching an entirely different sport, getting into a new game can help you relive some of the excitement and anticipation you felt during the men’s Euros. It’s not long now until the start of the Premier League 2024-5 season, so there’s not long to go until you’re back in the thick of it, and the Euros aren’t over yet, with the Lionesses having qualified for the women’s Euros next year.
They conclude: “Friends and family members of football fans who are experiencing post-matchday blues should be cautious not to dismiss or belittle their feelings. The feeling can have a significant impact on people and should be treated with the same care and empathy one would extend to someone suffering with a clinical disorder.”
For more information you can visit https://www.originstexas.com/