Stressbusting tips for Cubs fans

As a Cub’s fan, you always have that question in the back of your mind. Is the other shoe going to drop? Are the ghosts of billy goats and black cats disrupting your sleep? Are you pacing in between innings? After 108 years of experience where even after an amazing season, the Cubs inevitability fall apart post season, Cubs fans are understandably stressed and anxious during the playoffs. My brother is a die hard Cubs fan. The night the Giants won the wild card, he woke up and couldn’t get back to sleep. He paces  in between innings and doesn’t have any nails left. He was the inspiration for providing stress relief tips and treatments for fans during the playoff season

Here are five practical actions you can take to manage your playoff stress.

1. Belly breathing: When you are stressed, your breathing becomes more shallow and rapid. Shallow, rapid breathing causes the body to remain in a state of fight or flight. By taking deep, slow breaths, you activate the parasympathetic (rest and digest) system which promotes a state of calmness. Shallow breathing limits the diaphragm’s range of motion. The lowest part of the lungs doesn’t get filled with oxygenated air, which can make you feel short of breath and anxious.
2. Have a cuppa tea: Add a cup of passion flower, chamomile, or decaffeinated green tea which have all been shown to help ease stress and anxiety into your beverage rotation while watching the game.
3. Take time to smell the lavender: Essential oils can have a powerful effect on our mood and emotions. Diffusing lavender, roman chamomile, or a calming blend has a calming effect and promotes a feeling of relaxation. If you are watching the game somewhere that you cannot diffuse oils, put a couple drops in the palm of your hand and inhale.
4. Fake it till you make it: Use the findings from Harvard Business School professor Amy Cuddy’s work and strike a Wonder Woman pose for 2 minutes when you are feeling the pressure. According to her power pose theory, if you stand in a dominant, more expansive position for at least 2 minutes, your body makes less cortisol (stress hormone). Are you worried other fans will notice your power pose? No problem – imagining yourself in a power pose position for two minutes also reduces your cortisol levels!
5. Get Some Calming Bling: There are “ear seeds” (gold plated pellets with a Swarovski crystal) that can be placed on an acupuncture point on the ear that helps manage anxiety. Pick the Cubbie red or blue. You can press on the crystal when you are feeling anxious during a game. We are offering stress relief treatments for $19.08 on game days during the NLCS. Schedule an acupuncture appointment before the game, and leave with an ear crystal.

Watch Tuesday’s game at Ten Ninety where Northshore Acupuncture Center will be on hand to provide complimentary stress relief treatments. We will also be offering red and blue “ear seeds” for a recommended donation of $20. Proceeds will be donated to Cubs Care.

If you would like more information about how to manage your stress, contact Northshore Acupuncture Center at 815.814.1319 or schedule an appointment online before Saturday’s game.