Following England’s thrilling victory over DR Congo in Atlanta, millions of enthusiastic British soccer supporters are gearing up to potentially take a day off work on Monday. The match, which commenced at a convenient 5pm in the UK, secured England’s spot in the final 16 with a decisive double by Harry Kane.
However, the upcoming game against Mexico is scheduled to kick off at 1am UK time, leading to an estimated 70% of Brits planning to stay awake for the late-night match, as revealed by a recent study conducted by tech company Honor.
Despite the late hour, fans are undeterred and willing to go to great lengths to witness every thrilling moment of the tournament. The research indicates that 6.4% of employees are considering calling in sick. Given the UK workforce’s size of 34.4 million, this could potentially result in 2.2 million workers feigning illness on Monday.
For those fans who opt not to take a sick day, achieving restful sleep post-match poses a challenge. Over half of the respondents admit to struggling to doze off after a game, with the average fan spending nearly 40 minutes awake in bed.
To aid individuals in getting a good night’s sleep, Honor has collaborated with Dr. Sophie Bostock, also known as The Sleep Scientist, to introduce the Fan Cool Down program. This scientifically proven five-step routine assists fans in transitioning from a state of excitement to relaxation within approximately 10 minutes.
Dr. Bostock highlighted that the physiological effects of watching a tense football match late at night are often underestimated. She explained how passionate engagement with the game can lead to physiological responses similar to being on the field, such as increased adrenaline and heart rate. Without a structured cool down process, fans might find themselves mentally replaying the match instead of recuperating from it. The Fan Cool Down initiative aims to support the body’s natural recovery process, providing fans with the same benefits players receive from post-match cool downs.
Furthermore, the study revealed that less than a quarter of employers offer flexible working arrangements to accommodate late games, leaving half of Brits expecting to attend work after a late-night match if they haven’t taken time off (33%). Danny Holden, UK PR manager at Honor, expressed concern over the impact of late-night football matches on sleep patterns and work schedules, emphasizing the need for effective strategies beyond relying on caffeine or feigning illness.
Holden also highlighted the importance of post-match cool down routines, a practice long followed by professional athletes to aid in relaxation after intense games. The collaboration with Dr. Sophie Bostock and the Honor Watch 6 aims to extend this approach to fans nationwide, assisting them in transitioning from match-day stress to restful sleep.
Key Tips from The Sleep Scientist for Improved Sleep:
The Honor Watch 6 offers exceptional features including a prolonged 35-day battery life, intelligent heart-rate monitoring, and a specialized ‘professional football mode’ for enthusiasts inspired to engage with the sport. Currently available in Twilight Brown and Shadow Black at a discounted price of £169.99 (RRP £249.99).