Fan anxiety "Fanxiety" watching the Cyclones

[ScottyP]

When it comes to watching Iowa State games, I tend to get a lot of anxiety watching the games. It gets to the point at times where I need to turn the game off for a while. Before the game starts, my heart will be pounding because I'm nervous about the game. Even thinking about the West Virginia game makes my heart beat faster. It is not as bad if I'm watching the games in-person.

Anybody else have issues with "fanxiety"? Have you find any ways to help reduce nervousness and anxiety with Cyclone games? I struggle to just sit back and enjoy the games at times. This year could be a special season and it can be difficult to just enjoy the ride.

 

[Jer]

I had to stop wearing my Apple Watch because every game it would freak out because of my heart rate and rhythm. I'm also very superstitious and have OCD, so if we're doing great in a game or it's close, there's times where I literally won't move until the game is over.

 

[KnappShack]

When it comes to watching Iowa State games, I tend to get a lot of anxiety watching the games. It gets to the point at times where I need to turn the game off for a while. Before the game starts, my heart will be pounding because I'm nervous about the game. Even thinking about the West Virginia game makes my heart beat faster. It is not as bad if I'm watching the games in-person.

Anybody else have issues with "fanxiety"? Have you find any ways to help reduce nervousness and anxiety with Cyclone games? I struggle to just sit back and enjoy the games at times. This year could be a special season and it can be difficult to just enjoy the ride.

I turn off games almost every time. I'll listen for a better experience, but if things are going sideways I bail quickly and come back later.

No other team has this impact. Only Cyclone Football

 

[CoachHines3]

When it comes to watching Iowa State games, I tend to get a lot of anxiety watching the games. It gets to the point at times where I need to turn the game off for a while. Before the game starts, my heart will be pounding because I'm nervous about the game. Even thinking about the West Virginia game makes my heart beat faster. It is not as bad if I'm watching the games in-person.

Anybody else have issues with "fanxiety"? Have you find any ways to help reduce nervousness and anxiety with Cyclone games? I struggle to just sit back and enjoy the games at times. This year could be a special season and it can be difficult to just enjoy the ride.

it worse for me during basketball. I'm guessing b/c it's much more up tempo and fast paced. I don't know.

Football I don't sense it as much but it's still there a little bit.

 

[Cloneon]

It got so bad for me that, combined with being remote and lower income, I went without cable/satellite for 25+ years, I ended up only watching highlights or the replay. Knowing the outcome, somehow was better for my health. Avoid watching the defeats and only watching the "W's. Of course, I'm a masochist and subscribed to YTTV and am glued again to the set. So far so good, but not feeling good about this weekend. The locals (i.e. West Virginians) are out for blood.

 

[frackincygy]

When it comes to watching Iowa State games, I tend to get a lot of anxiety watching the games. It gets to the point at times where I need to turn the game off for a while. Before the game starts, my heart will be pounding because I'm nervous about the game. Even thinking about the West Virginia game makes my heart beat faster. It is not as bad if I'm watching the games in-person.

Anybody else have issues with "fanxiety"? Have you find any ways to help reduce nervousness and anxiety with Cyclone games? I struggle to just sit back and enjoy the games at times. This year could be a special season and it can be difficult to just enjoy the ride.

When I was a wee lad I forgot to put my "lucky coin" inside my Cyclones hat when the 2005 team lost to Mizzou on the missed FG and vowed to never forget about my "lucky coin" again; only to watch the exact same scenario play out against Kansas a few weeks later as tears streamed down my face. At that point I accepted that perhaps my actions don't have any impact on the game. I've also found it helpful to not gamble on the Cyclones, even an "emotional hedge".

Control what's in your control and let the chips fall where they may on the things you cannot control. (full disclosure I'm still striving towards this mindset in other areas of my life - work, kids, etc.)

 

[mj4cy]

Every week Im on pins and needles so bad I almost don't enjoy it. Win on Saturday and no holding back!

 

[coolerifyoudid]

I can't imagine there's not a little anxiety in everyone that's a diehard fan (versus a casual fan) of a sports team. We base emotional gratification on the success off our team. It's a tough relationship when we've had that emotion crushed over the years. Success feels temporary because negative memories seem to linger longer than joyous ones.

As I've gotten older, it's gotten much easier to separate the true anger and sadness from a loss and focus on the things I value most (family, friends, etc) For me, it took a big loss to put everything in its proper context. Hopefully others don't need that to happen to them. Nowadays, it doesn't bother me to turn off a game it I feel too much negativity around it. I record them all and can watch it later with a clearer mind. Watching a win or a loss once I know the outcome is often pretty enjoyable. Rewatching a game while perusing the game thread is kinda fun too.

Fandom would be an interesting social experiment. I imagine there are fan bases so accustomed to success that a higher percentage get mad versus anxious.

 

[JM4CY]

Brock's senior year was such a massive kick in the stones that I really learned since then to just enjoy the ride each week. Anything can happen so just strap up and let's see what happens. I enjoy games considerably more now than I ever have.

 

[Cyclonepride]

When it comes to watching Iowa State games, I tend to get a lot of anxiety watching the games. It gets to the point at times where I need to turn the game off for a while. Before the game starts, my heart will be pounding because I'm nervous about the game. Even thinking about the West Virginia game makes my heart beat faster. It is not as bad if I'm watching the games in-person.

Anybody else have issues with "fanxiety"? Have you find any ways to help reduce nervousness and anxiety with Cyclone games? I struggle to just sit back and enjoy the games at times. This year could be a special season and it can be difficult to just enjoy the ride.

Every once in a while, I just skip watching a game. I don't check the score or anything until it is over. It's really hard to do, but has gotten easier after having done it a few times, and that reminds me on a deeper level that it's just a game.

 

[madguy30]

I've gotten better the last two-three years in football and basketball although at the end of games I can still get pretty nervous; if I happen to be having a few beers, I might go through like 3 in a 5 game minute span haha.

I hate watching the CyHawk basketball game which doesn't make sense since it has such little impact on the season as a whole. I just hate how Fran's players behave.

 

[Thomasrickj]

I had to stop wearing my Apple Watch because every game it would freak out because of my heart rate and rhythm. I'm also very superstitious and have OCD, so if we're doing great in a game or it's close, there's times where I literally won't move until the game is over.

I stopped doing that for two events: Iowa State games and blackjack at the casino. I noticed I would get warnings about my heart rate being higher during those two times only. Now I leave my apple watch at home when I go to the casino and on the coffee table during ISU games.

 

[CYdTracked]

Other than the feeling that a nutkick is coming in a close game I don't get anxiety. We've had so many nutkicks over the years almost am numb to them when they happen, just a "yup knew that was coming" when they happen and move on.

 

[clonedude]

I know I need to calm down while watching games. Sometimes my wife will just go read a book in another room because she gets tired of listening to me. She always asks why I put myself through it…. and I tell her it’s fun…. but she says it doesn’t look like I’m having fun.

 

[BoomerClone]

My wife won’t watch games with me anymore. I’ve gotten better though than I was in my 20s and 30s. I’ve learned that I don’t have to watch every single game every single Saturday. This year is testing me though, and my wife’s patience

 

[snowcraig2.0]

I really struggle with this. I literally talk myself into expecting a loss every week so I am not dissapointed.

Games ending late tend to end up with me up until 1 or 2 am before I can finally calm down. I drank THC seltzers the entire second half of BYU last year so I wouldn't be up all night.

 

[Clonefan94]

I have calmed down a lot over the years. Maybe it's just the way the Cyclones have been over the last 45 years that have just beat me down emotionally, but I just don't get worked up like I used to. I've convinced myself that no matter what happens, life goes on, I still have to go to work and bills have to be paid. If it's a close game in the 4th quarter, I still get a little anxiety, but that's just being a fan. Although, my attitude must have changed a little bit as well. The Iowa game for example, I knew Konrardy was going to make that kick. In years past, I'd have had to leave to room for that.

 

[CyCrazy]

Not anymore because there is nothing I can do about the outcome. It used to ruin my weekend, older I get I shrug it off and move on.

 

[CycloneDaddy]

I dont feel nervous but my Busch Light consumption does increase quite a bit before a football game.

 

[DesertClone1]

I have calmed down immensely since Brocks Sr. Year, and when my wife and I welcomed our daughter into the world 3 years ago. Priorities i guess. Now... my daughter is all into the games, and my anxiety is coming back.