Flames fever good for the brain
Posted Apr 15, 2015 7:31 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The drought is over as playoff excitement returns to Calgary.
The team opens the series with the Canucks in Vancouver Wednesday night, and there is an undeniable sense of anticipation and excitement in a city that has fallen on some hard times.
With a drop in oil prices slamming the Calgary economy and the mental stresses of an important election, we could use some release and psychologists say Flames fever is just what we need.
Sheldon Walker says the excitement caused by a home team making the playoffs is a great opportunity for people to bond, whether the team wins or not.
“Business improves, people get optimistic, people get excited. There are social events that happen around it. It’s good for the community all the way around.” Walker said.
However, Dr. Patrick Keelan says for some people it can be an exceptionally stressful time especially if their identity is too wrapped up in the team.
“It can sometimes lead to conflict with people supporting other teams in terms of sometimes crossing the line into fights and that kind of stuff. In some cases if the team doesn’t do well it can lead to violent acts as we saw when the Canucks lost in the final a few years ago,” Keelan said.
