Newsworthy

With the Kansas City Chiefs playing in their second consecutive Super Bowl and Tom Brady making his tenth appearance, it might not seem like this year’s game is any different. However, make no mistake, the way we watch and celebrate the game will be completely different from years past.

Here are some helpful tips to ensure your Super Bowl experience is healthy and safe.

COVID-Friendly Super Bowl

In years past, Super Bowl parties consisted of a crowded house with finger foods laid out in buffet-style. However, the threat of spreading and contracting COVID-19 is still very high. If you plan to host a Super Bowl watch party:
• Limit number of attendees to under 10 guests
• Insist on everyone wearing masks
• Consider personally serving food to avoid cross-contamination
For those looking for somewhere to watch, be wary of bars and restaurants. Instead, look for virtual options through Zoom, FaceTime or some other screen-sharing program. This allows you to watch the game with friends and family without risk.

Winner-Winner Chicken Wings for Dinner

Buffalo wings, nachos, pizza… All staples of Super Bowl parties. However, these foods can wreak havoc on diets. They are loaded with fat and bad carbs. Try to limit these foods and instead make the vegetable/fruit tray your friend.

Additionally, we get it. Beer and the Super Bowl go together like… well, beer and the Super Bowl. We always preach, “Everything in moderation.” Consider light beer instead of regular or dark beer and please drink responsibly. During Super Bowl Sunday, occurrences of drunk driving are 22 percent higher than a typical Sunday.

Football is a Dangerous Game

As sports fans, we love big hits! The crack of thunder as pads connect. The tackles that make the entire stadium erupt.

However, as health care professionals, we also know the damage these big hits can have on the human body. We all held our breath watching Patrick Mahomes struggle to his feet following the tackle he took during the Cleveland Browns game.

The possibility of suffering a concussion is one of the most important concerns surrounding contact sports. From 2012-2019, the National Football League (NFL) Injury Data showed that an average of 242 NFL players per year sustained concussions. In addition, football players are also likely to suffer knee injuries, broken bones and dislocated joints.

(Learn more about how we care for concussions and sports-related injuries.)

It’s Just a Game… Until It Isn’t

People often view sports as a distraction or even an escape from regular life. The Super Bowl is a great way to provide a sense of connection – belonging to a community of like-minded individuals. For two hours, we are solely invested on the game and the players. As such, we can shut out stress and negativity.

However, that doesn’t mean that the Super Bowl is a 100% effective means for stress relief. Diehard fans may find themselves infuriated by their team’s performance. Couple this with excessive alcohol consumption and trouble is bound to happen.

Additionally, high stakes gamble can force strain on personal finances, leading to dangerous mental states.

Try to remember the Super Bowl is just another game. Don’t put yourself in a situation where the outcome could heavily affect your life.

The Kansas City Chiefs vs the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Mahomes vs Brady. Reid vs Arians. The game that crowns the world champion. And while we should stay impartial, we can’t help it… RUN IT BACK!

From all of us at Stormont Vail Health, we wish you a happy, safe Super Bowl experience. Go Chiefs!