World Cup anxiety can disrupt sleep, increase alcohol use: psychiatrist

The intense emotions stirred by the World Cup go beyond the sport itself, according to psychiatrist Juan Ignacio Ingelmo. He explains that national teams become powerful collective symbols, and when they play, it's not just a team on the field but a "representation of ourselves," amplifying the emotional charge.

The shared experience of the tournament also plays a significant role. Ingelmo notes that the World Cup is one of the few events capable of synchronizing the emotions of millions simultaneously, further intensifying individual feelings. This collective emotional wave can trigger biological stress responses, similar to facing real threats, leading to increased stress hormones, rapid heart rate, and altered sleep patterns.

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When the National Team plays, it's not just a team on the field. It's a collective representation of ourselves. That explains why the emotional charge is so intense.

While this heightened state is a normal part of the competition's enjoyment, Ingelmo warns that problems arise when emotional activation exceeds a person's ability to regulate it. He advises paying attention to disproportionate emotional responses, such as persistent anxiety, sleep disturbances, or increased alcohol consumption, which may indicate a need for professional help.

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The body doesn't distinguish very well between a real threat and a symbolic threat.