Being a fan is not as easy as it might seem! If you're a sports fan, you've likely heard every existing criticism: That you could've done something better with your time; That it doesn't make any sense; You're getting too upset whenever your favourites lose; Or, even worse, you get too excited when they win! Frankly, we are unsure about the legitimacy of those criticisms, and everyone has their own counterarguments to deal with them. But we know that loving sports and being a fan is healthy, wonderful, and, most of all, fun. This article is all about the things that make being a fan of sports great, so let's delve deep into the reasons why you should be proud of being one! You socialise, build friendships and connections It doesn't matter if you're going over to an arena to cheer for your favourite team, or gather together in a pub with your mates to toast to a win, or going online to passionately argue over a strategic miscalculation your faves did in their recent bout – socialization is an essential part of being a sports fan. Sharing your joy over a victory or getting over a loss together with other people is why many people choose to follow sports – the sense of community, keeping together through thick and thin, is a vital part of life, and cheering over your favourite boxer, racer or a footballer together with other people is one of the quickest and easiest way of obtaining that feeling of being a part of a community. Even more so, as studies show, being socially fit and having positive relationships with others is a cornerstone of having a long and happy life. That means that each trip to an arena or a pub can have direct and positive consequences for your future. If you don't drink too much, that is. Following sports is a fantastic way of sharpening your tactical thinking Besides being a social exercise, following sports means sharpening your mind. Think about it – following sports means learning about its principles, strategies, and tactics. Don't let anyone tell you that "it's just a game", as each and everygame is a mental puzzle you're ready to crack. While critics may dismiss knowing every detail about a sport, including players, coaches, lineups, and potential perturbations of drafts and transfers, as useless, you should know better. Team sports are a monumental example of how working with other people and understanding each other on both subconscious and strategic levels may lead to success and how each of us may fit together as pieces of the puzzle, building a complete picture only when finding your special place in a bigger strategy – a beneficial mindset for working with people. And what are all the strategies for different types of sports? Knowing when to expect an opponent to show weakness or, on the contrary, weakening your defences to lay a trap for an unsuspecting challenger? These examples, underlying the psychology of sports fans, allow us to apply these examples to real-life situations, finding new ways to succeed in sales or complex social interactions. You know all about taking risks Another thing that distinguishes sports fans from regular folk is knowing when and how to take risks. Following the sport and all the news surrounding it allows us to develop certain expectations regarding how the match will turn out. You may love the team with all your heart and still expect it to lose to a favorite – there's no shame in failing if you put up a decent fight, right? Utilizing all of your available knowledge is essential, whether you're about to place a bet on melbet for a match with an easily predictable outcome or weigh the odds for a more uncertain game where underdogs might just steal the show. Thanks to the specific mindset of a fan, you may navigate many of life's complex puzzles with ease since every situation may be solved with the same approach we use to confidently proclaim a winner in a future bout: know all the facts, consider even the most minor changes, and trust your gut. Enjoying the sport you love keeps you fit Okay, we know this one is a stretch! Not every sports fan plays the sport they love; however, if someone does, they are most likely a true fan. Many football fans play in a small neighbourhood team on the weekends, applying the same knowledge they've got from following their local league or one of the big European championships themselves; cricket fans regularly gather together with bats in parks to play a few innings in a pleasant company, and even MMA fans more often than not start frequenting their local gym to try to stay fit and, maybe, even learn some fighting techniques themselves. Even if you haven't started enjoying your favourite sport yet, we recommend trying it – it would do wonders for your arguments with fellow fans when you've experienced all the game's aspects firsthand! Sharing a love of sports helps connect with other cultures And finally, one of the most significant fan benefits we can think of is having an open mind. Sport – any kind of it – is a celebration of connecting over a game that represents something special to us, even if we're entirely different. Big international events, such as the World Cups in various team sports or, especially, the Olympics, serve as a gateway to learning about diverse aspects of foreign cultures. Some fans travel to see their favourite sports people compete and explore the world while doing so during international games and fan festivals. Others watch their team play against representatives of various cultures and nations only to discover that we don't have many differences. If there are, these differences aren't a reason to get angry or confused about, but to learn more. Thus, open-mindedness is the final benefit of being a sports fan that we'd love to highlight and yet another reason to be proud of what we are. Disclaimer: Play responsibly. Players must be over 18. For help visit https://www.rgf.org.mt/.