How did the Cancelation of Major Sports Leagues Affect the Psyche of Society?

By: R. Behar

With the stunning headliners and constant breaking news, it is no wonder that the COVID-19 outbreak has left infected, including many major global athletes. These include the likes of Sean Payton (New Orleans Saints coach), Kevin Durant (Brooklyn Nets) and Callum Hudson-Odoi (Chelsea). Thus, the major global sports leagues have postponed/canceled their seasons. These count with the likes of the NBA, MLB, Premier League, Masters, and NHL. Many amateur events have also been canceled such as the London and Paris marathons. Since our society is so accustomed to sports entertainment it is no wonder most of us would feel a personal effect on the absence of coverage of sports we personally adhere to. And one must ask what would happen to the psyche of people affected by the absence of sports entertainment in their day to day lives.
 
It is evident that many people use sports events as a means of social entertainment. Many leagues use their play not as a mere game but as a spectacle. This has been incorporated extensively within American society with the use of halftime shows, fan interactions, and all-star games. Therefore, going to basketball, baseball and football games attain your social interactions while embedding you into a culture. This culture might incorporate rooting for a designated team or to simply admire the games. There is no wonder that in quarantine one may not do so. As a result, many may feel emotionally isolated/ depressed when social distancing. This rupture between an individual and the places/ events that he/she attends may not be a passive change. Possibly causing many mental health constraints. The further worrisome nature of the human being along with the loss of connection with habits may cause one to fall into a panicked state. We have seen this across the globe with panic buying and consumption spiraling out of control.
 
Therefore, we must all take care to be able to cope with the removal of simple and common things from one’s life. These things are almost always taken for granted and during this period of self-isolation, a thought of self-reflection to thank and appreciate things you have ought to help you in the future. 
 
In case many of you, just like me, are obsessed with sports, try following sports accounts in social media and watch highlights on YouTube. During this time we should filter out negative information from our feed and keep positive!
 

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