Jobs by JobLookup
jobs by JobLookup job search

Sports Fans, Beware of "Fanxiety Face"

0




With the Super Bowl just around the corner, sports fans are gearing up for an emotional rollercoaster. For many, the thrill of the game comes with intense emotions, anxiety, and even physical reactions. Enter "fanxiety face," a term that’s recently gained traction on social media, thanks in part to Taylor Swift, who has brought attention to this skincare phenomenon. But what exactly is fanxiety face, and should you be worried about it? Let’s break it down.

### What Is Fanxiety Face?

Fanxiety face refers to the involuntary facial expressions—like frowning, wrinkling, or puckering—that occur when you’re caught up in the highs and lows of watching your favorite team or player. Coined on social media, the term describes the physical manifestation of the stress and excitement that comes with being a sports fan. According to Dr. Angela Brimhall, a board-certified holistic dermatologist, these repeated facial movements can lead to premature signs of aging and even worsen existing skin conditions. Commonly affected areas include the forehead (think "11 lines"), the corners of the eyes (where crow’s feet form), and around the mouth (where stress can create marionette lines).

### What Causes Fanxiety Face?

While the term might sound lighthearted, the effects of fanxiety face are no joke. Dr. Brimhall explains that the emotional stress and anxiety during high-stakes games trigger these intense facial expressions. Over time, these repeated movements—like furrowing your brows, squinting, or pursing your lips—can deepen fine lines and wrinkles. Dr. Muneeb Shah, a board-certified dermatologist, adds that the body’s release of cortisol in response to stress can also lead to inflammatory skin issues.

Your likelihood of developing fanxiety face depends on factors like your age, skin condition, and even facial structure. Dr. Shah notes that starting in your mid-20s, your skin loses its ability to bounce back as quickly, making repeated facial expressions more likely to leave lasting marks. Dr. Jaimie Glick, another board-certified dermatologist, points out that sun exposure, skin tone, and muscle strength also play a role in how wrinkles form.

### How to Prevent Fanxiety Face

While turning off the game might seem like the simplest solution, let’s be honest—most fans aren’t willing to miss out on the excitement. The good news? There are ways to enjoy the game without sacrificing your skin.

1. **Facial Relaxation Techniques**: Dr. Brimhall recommends gentle facial massages during the game to alleviate tension. Try circular motions on your forehead and temples or light tapping around your eyes and eyebrows to promote relaxation.

2. **Be Mindful of Your Expressions**: Dr. Shah suggests being aware of your facial movements and avoiding repeated contractions, like squinting or frowning, to prevent lines from deepening.


3. **Preventative Skincare and Treatments**: Dr. Glick highlights Botox and similar products (Dysport, Xeomin, Jeuveau, Daxxify) as effective ways to prevent frown lines. Dr. Brimhall also recommends treatments like chemical peels, laser resurfacing, and microneedling to rejuvenate the skin over time.

4. **Practice Mindfulness**: Dr. Brimhall emphasizes the importance of mental health during high-stakes moments. Incorporating relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing or short meditative breaks, can help reduce the physical effects of anxiety.

Fanxiety face is a real phenomenon, but it doesn’t have to ruin your game-day experience—or your skin. By staying mindful of your facial expressions, incorporating relaxation techniques, and investing in preventative skincare, you can cheer on your team without worrying about the long-term effects. After all, taking care of your mental and physical well-being is just as important as rooting for your favorite players. So, grab your jersey, relax those facial muscles, and enjoy the game!

You could say that Taylor Swift’s championship era is in its second consecutive season.

The 14-time Grammy Award-winning superstar returned to Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday and watched her boyfriend, Travis Kelce, and the other Kansas City Chiefs beat the Buffalo Bills 32-29 for a spot in their third consecutive Super Bowl.

Swift walked down the tunnel to her usual suite about 90 minutes before kickoff. And while she was decked out in Chanel for the divisional round against Houston, she opted for a sleek black-and-gold Louis Vuitton look for the AFC title game, including a jacquard knit jacket that retails for $5,000 and a stocking cap with a list price of $830.

Modest fare compared to what suite prices for the Super Bowl will run.

Swift will almost certainly be in New Orleans with her celebrity friends when the Chiefs go for an unprecedented third straight Lombardi Trophy against the Philadelphia Eagles on Feb. 9. They got a big game from Patrick Mahomes — no surprise there — and some key stops from their defense to get past the Bills.

Swift began her high-profile romance with Kelce last season when he invited the “Anti-Hero” singer to watch him in a September matchup with the Bears. And their relationship only seemed to blossom into the new year, with Swift eventually celebrating on the field with Kelce after the Chiefs had beaten the Ravens in Baltimore for the AFC championship.


Then came the Super Bowl, and Swift’s much-watched dash from a concert in Tokyo for the kickoff of the big game in Las Vegas.

She made it with plenty of time to spare, of course. And Swift became the focus of attention in her own right, winning what appeared to be a beer-chugging contest, partying with celebrity suite mates such as Blake Lively, Ice Spice, and Lana Del Rey, and standing next to Kelce’s mother, Donna, while he held aloft the Lombardi Trophy following the 25-22 win over the 49ers.

The couple eventually locked lips again on the field at Allegiant Stadium.

As confetti flew on the field, they kissed again in celebration at Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday night. Swift gave Chiefs coach Andy Reid a big hug, and she celebrated with Donna Kelce and the rest of some 80,000 fans.

Everything looked oh-so-familiar at Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday night: Patrick Mahomes hoisting the AFC championship trophy as confetti rained down, Andy Reid hugging Chiefs owner Clark Hunt, and Travis Kelce kissing Taylor Swift, grabbing the mic and imploring fans to once more party the night away.

The two-time defending Super Bowl champions had earned a chance at an unprecedented three-peat.

And once again, they had brushed aside the Buffalo Bills on the way.

This time, it was Mahomes’ arm and his legs — 245 yards passing and a touchdown, two more scores rushing — and some key stops by the Kansas City defense that preserved a 32-29 victory over the Bills in the AFC championship game.

“It’s just so hard to get to the Super Bowl and I don’t take it for granted, and to do it again at Arrowhead Stadium was special,” Mahomes said. “You get that trophy on that stage and you look around here and there’s not an empty seat — it’s special.”

The Chiefs will get a familiar foe in the big game in the Eagles, whom they beat two years ago for the title. Philadelphia romped to a 55-23 victory over the Commanders earlier Sunday to earn a shot at the champs on Feb. 9 in New Orleans.

It’s the fourth time since January 2021 that the Chiefs have ended the Bills’ season in the playoffs. And like all the rest, it came after a heavyweight fight between two of the top teams in the AFC, one that was tied 29-all after Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen found Curtis Samuel in the back of the end zone to set up a little more drama in the conference championship game.

Mahomes was simply unflappable, though. He completed four consecutive passes on the ensuing possession, setting up Harrison Butker’s go-ahead field goal with 3:33 left, and put the Bills in another do-or-die situation in Kansas City.

Allen got their drive going by running for a first down, but his next two throws were batted at the line of scrimmage. He hit Amari Cooper for a short gain on third down, and the Bills chose to go for it — they were 4 of 5 on fourth downs at that point — and the Kansas City blitz forced Allen to loft up a prayer that Dalton Kincaid was unable to corral deep downfield.

The Chiefs took over, picked up a couple of first downs, and began to celebrate once again.

“I’ve always said it: It’s not about one guy. It’s not about a couple guys. It’s about the whole entire team,” Mahomes said. “When we needed the defense to get stops, they got stops. On offense, we made plays. That’s why we’re so special.”

Kareem Hunt had a touchdown run and Xavier Worthy had six catches for 85 yards and a score for Kansas City, which became just the fourth franchise to reach at least three consecutive Super Bowls with its ninth consecutive playoff victory.

“Every one of these is so special,” said Clark Hunt, whose father Lamar’s name adorns the AFC championship trophy. “What a game today. Travis, Patrick, and their teammates always find a way to get it done. That was true this whole year. And it’s a credit to coach Reid and his amazing staff. Now we get to do something that’s never been done before.”

Allen threw for 237 yards and two scores for Buffalo, while James Cook ran for 85 yards and two touchdowns of his own.

Yet the Bills still have not been to the Super Bowl since a run of four straight during the 1990-93 seasons.

“I told them they’ve got nothing to be ashamed of,” Bills coach Sean McDermott said, “and I love them.”

The Bills and Chiefs have become well acquainted over the years, meeting eight times since Kansas City beat Buffalo under the same circumstances — the AFC title game at Arrowhead Stadium — to reach the Super Bowl in January 2021.

Buffalo has won all four games in the regular season. Kansas City has won the four that mattered in the postseason.

All of that familiarity, along with the fact that McDermott once worked for Reid, was evident as the game transpired. The Bills refused to let Kelce beat them, like he did against the Texans in the divisional round, while Kansas City did everything it could to keep Allen from beating him with his legs — or his arm, for that matter.

The Chiefs took a 21-16 lead into the locker room after a topsy-turvy first half.

Mahomes and Kareem Hunt ran for scores and Worthy had a touchdown reception as the teams traded the lead. Cook reached the end zone for Buffalo, and a spectacular touchdown catch by Mack Hollins just before halftime kept the Bills in the game.

It remained a game of inches in the second half: Cook barely reached across the goal line for a touchdown, the Chiefs stopped Allen inches shy of the marker on fourth down, Mahomes bulldozed into the end zone for a score, and the Bills answered with a 70-yard drive in which their MVP-candidate quarterback hit Samuel on fourth-and-goal to tie the game at 29-all.

Fifty-three minutes and 45 seconds had been rendered moot. Everything came down to the last 6:15 of the game.

“That’s football, you know. The loss hurts. That makes this game what it is,” Bills pass rusher Von Miller said. “We did everything in our power to win. And just, you know, ran out of time.”

Injuries

Bills cornerback Christian Benford was carted off in the first quarter and declared out with a concussion. He had spent the week in the concussion protocol before getting cleared to play Sunday.

Up next

The Chiefs are headed to the Big Easy to face the Eagles in the Super Bowl for the second time in three years. In the first game, they rallied from a 24-14 halftime deficit with Butker hitting a 27-yard field goal for the 38-35 win.


Post a Comment

Previous Post Next Post