The exhilaration and torment of watching big soccer games helps men express their emotions and is beneficial for mental health, a British survey has found. Two-thirds of 500 men interviewed by the Mental Health Foundation said soccer helps them to share their feelings with other men, while 76 per cent said they would not be embarrassed to hug their friends during a match. Lee Sing, of the department of psychology at Chinese University, said the excitement, escapism and the opportunity to socialise combined to make soccer fever a healthy pastime. 'It depends on how you assess mental health,' he said. 'But men are attached to their football; like gambling, it is a natural language for them. It helps them become emotionally open and express their feelings, and it also provides a distraction from everyday life. 'When friends gather in a pub to watch a match, it is a social occasion, and a shared topic of interest helps break the ice. It provides the social support that is so important for mental health.' The survey shows the World Cup could propel fans to greater exertion, with 34 per cent of respondents planning to play more soccer due to the tournament. But Professor Lee warned against overindulgence, as it could lead to attention deficiency and crankiness. 'It's not all positive, and it is easy to overdo it. If fans stay up all night to watch the games they will have trouble staying awake the following day, which could lead to a lack of attention, decreased work efficiency and irritability,' he said. 'Fans also drink more during the World Cup, which may lead to swearing, arguments and fighting. It could also cause health problems and encourage drink- driving.' The figures support Professor Lee's hypothesis. Fifty-eight percent of respondents admitted to feeling aggressive during matches, while 11 per cent have channelled their aggression into a pub brawl. Meanwhile, unofficial rules for female relatives of soccer fans have circulated on the internet to minimise conflict during the tournament. Girlfriends are advised to read the sports pages of the newspaper to avoid being left out of conversations. Remote controls and small talk are out of bounds during a match and a plentiful supply of beer in the fridge is recommended. Comments like 'get over it, it's only a game', or 'don't worry, they'll win next time', are said to lead to break-ups or divorce. Saying 'thank God the World Cup is only every four years', will likely spur a renewed interest in the Champions League and the European Championships. Source
