7 Tips to Take Care of Your Mental Health During the World Series

We’re pacing the living room, clutching our drinks, yelling at the TV, side-eyeing the score ticker, and emotionally invested in a team that doesn’t even know we exist - and honestly, that’s kind of the magic. The World Series isn’t just about baseball. It’s about nostalgia, family, tradition, belonging, and the sense of being part of something bigger than our everyday routines.

AND it can also be intense. Close scores, late nights, loud crowds (both on TV and in your own group chat), and the emotional rollercoaster of hope and frustration can take a toll - even when it’s “just for fun.”

So, how do we take care of our mental and emotional well-being during this wild, high-energy stretch… without pretending we’re going to turn off the game and go to sleep early?

Here are 7 things you can do:

Let yourself be in the moment:

There’s something rare about a shared experience so many people are tuned into at once. Instead of rushing past it or getting overwhelmed by it, pause every once in a while just to notice:

• The room you’re in.

• The energy in the air.

• The familiar sounds of the crowd.

• The feeling of “we’re all in this together”.

This is community, whether you’re with others or not.

Choose your company:

Who you watch with matters. If certain people make the game stressful or competitive in a way that drains you, you’re allowed to shift where you sit or who you chat with.

And if you’re watching alone? Hey, connection doesn’t require being in a packed room. You can still make the most of it by:

• Send voice notes to friends between innings.

• Join the group chat when it feels supportive.

• Make it a shared experience, your way.

Take micro breathing moments:

We’re not talking deep meditation or full-body relaxation routines - just tiny pauses.

During a pitching change or commercial break:

• Drop your shoulders,

• Inhale slowly.

• Exhale even slower.

• Stretch your body.

• Shake off the nerves.

Ten seconds is enough. Your nervous system will thank you.

Let the emotions happen:

Sports are emotional on purpose. They tap into hope, identity, pride, and disappointment - all deeply human experiences.

There’s no need to pretend you’re unaffected or to criticize yourself for caring “too much”. You can allow yourself to let the emotions move through you.

And ironically, expressing feelings during a game sometimes helps us feel more regulated overall (instead of bottling them up with nowhere to go).

Have a gentle "after":

Let's be real - You probably won’t be going to bed early, and that’s okay.

But you can still support your body and mind on the other side:

• A slow morning.

• A warm drink before sleep.

• Soft lighting instead of scrolling.

• A few minutes of quiet before bed.

Think of this as being more about landing from the high of a nerve-wracking game, than about calming down.

The World Series is a reminder of how deeply we are wired for connection. To belong, to feel part of something, and to care.

So instead of trying to “stay calm” or pushing your emotions aside, try this:

Be present. Be human. Feel it fully. And let yourself be part of something bigger.

Because sometimes, caring is the point.

Go Jays Go!

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