Why Rooting for Your Favorite Team May be Boosting Your Mental Health Too

• Being a fan can bring a sense of belonging and community.

• A new book by sports fans found that while 61% of Americans report experiencing loneliness, nonfans are lonelier than fans.

• Whether it’s sports, music, cosplay, comics, video games, or beyond, finding your fandom community can enhance your mental well-being.

Putting on your team’s jersey, inviting friends over to watch the game, cheering and shouting at the TV in unison — the bond sports fans share is undeniable. “[Sports] are an ever-present facilitator of connection. Sports are the reason to get people together, the reason to send that text message, the reason to check in with your parents, and so on. Sports anchor and galvanize relationships; they facilitate social interactions,” David Sikorjak, co-author of Fans Have More Friends, told Healthline.

But sports may be more than that, too. “It is good for you, good for others, and good for society,” Sikorjak said. (By Healthline)

Bata Korner columnist Xavier Divinagracia.