“Spectator Syndrome”
This weekend I attended 4 baseball games within 24 hours! My oldest son’s club baseball team made it to the championship game of their Memorial Day Tournament. It was an intense weekend, and it took a toll on me mentally and physically. As much as I love to watch him play, I am the type of mom that really gets into the games; screaming, cheering, jumping up and down! I also get nervous, excited, and sometimes even angry depending on how the games go. On top of that sitting in bleachers and outdoor folding chairs puts tons of physical stress on my body. I have coined the term “Spectator Syndrome” to describe the mental and physical strain of watching our loved ones play sports.
When you experience excitement or anxiety before or during a game it is not your imagination. I don’t know about you, but I am personally invested in my son’s baseball. When he’s pitching or up at bat, I get butterflies in my stomach and in the past, there were times when I could not even watch. I’ve gotten over that though. I tell myself what I would tell him, “Relax, just breathe, have fun....” Sometimes it works, other times it doesn’t.
As far as the physical aspects go, there are things you can do to help with some of the soreness that occurs from being at games for hours. It’s important to remember to stay hydrated. Drinking at least 64-80 oz of water is crucial. That’s about 8-10 glasses of water a day. You may even need more on especially hot humid days. It is important to replenish any fluid your body has lost from sweating, screaming, and jumping up and down.
In addition, I always remember to get up and stretch and take breaks from sitting whenever I can. Even going on a quick 10–15-minute walk in between games can work wonders. It helps relieve some of the stress brought on by the games as well as counteracts the effects of sitting for hours. When I’m not at games, working, or parenting, I try to attend regular Pilates classes, as keeping a strong core is extremely important for posture and eliminating low back pain. It’s important to maintain better muscular integrity through regular exercise. I’ve found that the stronger I feel physically the less achy I get at the games.
Last but certainly not least, regular chiropractic adjustments help me tremendously. I look forward to my Monday chiropractic adjustment after a weekend baseball tournament. It’s just what I need to get myself feeling better and ready for the next week of games! If you are anything like me and experience “Spectator Syndrome” I hope this helps you to remember to take care of yourself so that you can better enjoy the game itself.