So now as we enter the second week of the playoffs, C and I are faced with FFAD (Fantasy Football Affective Depression). Many of you might have seen the result of FFAD. Begging on twitter for Bryce Brown to actually do something besides dropping the ball! After all you made the gamble to put him in. Or yelling at Cam Newton for somehow making one of the biggest point play of his season. Wasn't he facing a sophomore slump? Whatever the results, the cause is the same. It is the end of the Fantasy Football season and though you can join another fantasy sport, none feels as well organized. If you lose a game now, it is no longer just an obstacle to entering the playoffs. You are out. Done. Finished. Finito!
From my experience living with FFAD, I have found the following helps.
Just as with SAD and light bars, you can simulate as if the season is still going on. Through joining another fantasy sports team. Basketball has been going on and baseball will be starting.
Dawn simulation, which helps the body raise naturally as if the skys are still bright can be used here too. This means doing your traditional football routine. It might not hurt to still go to the bar and watch the games with your friends. After all part of the fantasy football fun is to do that. Enjoy your "medicine" in the forms of the beer you would normally consume while watching a game. Now I am not saying drown your sorrow in alcohol. That would be very unhealthy!
Other ideas are..
- If you do not play...
- Still support your partner. Whether that is praying to whichever deity you believe in or cheering for his player even if you have no idea what is going on. This is a difficult time and your partner needs your support
- Let your partner watch football. Serious fantasy footballers are very anxious during this time. Keeping up with their players through the points is not enough. There should be freedom to see events occur, so let your partner watch the game. You can always record/DVR/Hulu your program. This does not mean clean up after your partner.
- Let your partner mourn if they are not doing well. Do not bring up fantasy football if he is highly distracted with something else. But let your partner mourn in whatever manner you would for any other loss. This is not just a silly game, but a serious event. Therefore be supportive.
- Lose yourself to the craziness. This is only a couple of weeks and it is kind of fun to just lose yourself to the craziness, if your life allows it. I know I did my first year and I had fun. Yelling at the TV is much more satisfying here than for a real housewives episode.
- If you do play... (but are not as serious - as my case)
- Support your partner's players if it does not mean total, absolute pwnage on your part. It will make for a lot more peaceful household if you support the more serious partner's players even if those players are your opponents' players too. I usually cheer for C's players because I am confident my team will win {or confident they'd lose either way}.
- If you do play... and are serious
- Admit sure defeat when it occurs, do not drag it out. C is gracious enough to recognize when he is out of the playoffs. He does not hold onto unrealistic optimism because that is my role. I am still convinced he'll dominate. However, I do believe it is easier for him to be disappointed and address it early. It allows us to go back to enjoying our week (and holidays) faster.
- Once you are done mourning, focus on the other aspects of life. Since FFAD always occurs around the holiday season. Do not let your loss in FFAD somehow affect the rest of your month. This is a time about family and friends. So even if you had not won the big bucks to help pay off all those presents you bought, it is okay. You can still pay it off. Just focus on what is going on around you.
Good luck with your fantasy football season. If you have any of your own experience, please let me know in the comments.
