Fantasy Football and Your Mental Health – Less is More
When it comes to fantasy football you feel like you can never get enough. For the basic fantasy player, you have your traditional redraft leagues which are drafted in August till the kickoff of Week 1. Then you have dynasty football that goes all year long with a roster that is similar year after year with a rookie draft that’s arguably just as exciting as the fantasy playoffs. At some point, all of these leagues can take a toll on your mental health.
Ultimately, fantasy football is great because nowadays there is continuous content being created. As a result, it keeps us as fans, addicted. But when is it too much? Less is more might be something to consider for the sake of your mental health.
Here at Faceoff Sports Network, we are known for our Mental Health Podathon. We’ve hosted this show for several years now and have had NFL players such as Hayden Hurst and Rachaad White on as guests. Additionally, we’ve had big-name fantasy football gurus such as Matthew Berry. Continue reading to find out how there can be a direct correlation between fantasy football and your mental health.
Fantasy Football and Mental Health – Less is More
I was just like you, an average fantasy drafter. A league here, a league there. Nothing too overwhelming to handle, just a good time playing fantasy with friends. Then, dynasty league football was introduced to me. A fantasy football league that is something all year round! At that time, I was in maybe five or six leagues. Nothing too hard to handle was being done.
Or so I thought.
Dynasty leagues were loved by me, and I was unstoppable, craving to do more. Along with other fantasy football leagues, I found myself joining more dynasty start-ups and a couple more redraft leagues. Best ball was even dabbled into by me because what could be more fun than drafting? Drafting more teams was the ultimate thrill for me.
During the time of COVID-19, it was great because more leagues were joined during my downtime. I found myself in “expert” leagues like Scott Fish Bowl and other types of charity leagues. Drafting for a good cause? Why not?
When I Knew I Went Too Far
By the time I knew it, it was too late. At this point, I joined 30 fantasy football leagues. Knowing I bit off more than I could chew, I managed all my teams. However, I wasn’t 100% involved as it was just overwhelming trying to do waiver wire pickups and trades. Additionally, simply setting all the lineups for each of these leagues can be a task in itself. All in all, it was taking a burden on me mentally.
Week in and week out I was spending no less than two hours trying to work the waiver wire and spend my FAAB. Not to mention the number of trades I was handling. Next thing I knew, what was fun was now a job.
Trying to be a content creator, a husband, and a father all at the same time while playing fantasy football stressed me out. This game is meant to be fun. I don’t want to dedicate all this time week in and week out just on weekly lineups, trades, and trying to make the fantasy football playoffs.
I realized I had to change something. That’s when I decided to start cutting leagues out. Many fantasy managers often join leagues just to say, “I’m in too many leagues and need to cut back.” Like you, I used to think, “You knew what you were getting yourself into.” But that’s the thing. Sometimes you do know, and sometimes you don’t.
Fantasy Football Leagues – The Cut List
When deciding to leave leagues, consider it from an interest perspective. Personally, I preferred paid leagues over free ones. After reviewing all the leagues I participated in, I found that more than half were free leagues. This can make it easy to drop your free leagues.
Right from the start, I carried the basic message of being in too many leagues and cutting back with all the ones I left. Naturally, I informed the commissioners about my decision to leave before simply posting a message on Sleeper chat and exiting the league abruptly. Nevertheless, the commissioners appreciated the courtesy of receiving a heads-up from me. It is important to remember that common courtesy can have a lasting impact.
When I departed from these leagues, I immediately sensed a weight lift off my chest. The stress of a supposedly enjoyable game is now transitioning back to enjoyment once more.
Relapsing with Fantasy Football Leagues
Okay, well maybe that title is wrong, but at the same time, I joined more leagues for the 2024 season. Once again it was leagues for charity so my count goes up. Additionally, I added two more leagues. One being a paid league, another one being a friends and family league. However, this time I knew it was too much. Asking myself “Why are you doing this to yourself?”
At that moment, I second guessed myself but proceeded anyway. However, this time, I carried an additional burden as I was drafting at my kids’ sporting events. Using my phone at these events can be irritating, especially when your child notices it. In that instant, I realized what action needed to be taken. I needed to admit my addiction and thoroughly examine my leagues. Making sure 2025 will be different and better.
On the bright side of it, I did get down to 14 total leagues. Furthermore, I gave my son one of the teams to draft by himself, as it was a free league. He went on to draft the team and we would talk waiver wire together along with setting his lineup. At the end of it he ended up losing in the championship but is looking forward to doing it next year. That was a positive for me.
Fantasy Football Leagues – Back to the Cut List
Again, I’m looking at teams to cut. Yes, best ball leagues are draft-and-forget. However, my addictive personality always makes me look at those teams. But as you read this, I’m already cutting leagues. This time, I’ll refuse new leagues and won’t sign up for charity leagues; I’d rather donate directly to the charities.
How do you decide what leagues to cut? First, list all the leagues you’re in. Second, put them in order of interest that you have in them. Third, determine which ones you could move on from. Finally, what is your ultimate goal?
Go through your leagues and see which ones interest you. Keep those ones and leave the others. It’s easier than it sounds, but once you go through them, set yourself a cutoff. It can be five, it can be 10. Set yourself a goal. You want to have fun. That’s what this game is all about.
Just Say No
You finally cut down your leagues, but what happens if you get an invite to another? Just remember who much “work” maintaining all your leagues was last season. Would you rather have to work or have fun with it? That is the question that you will have to answer. Personally, I am saying no to joining any more leagues. If you say yes to one, just remember you may be going through the “cut list” at this time next year.
Conclusion
Although participating in many leagues is fun, maintaining them can require more work than the reward. In 2025, I’ll be in fewer than 10 leagues. At the same time, some might consider that still a lot. Personally, I’ve reduced my league participation from 30. I used to be happy with around 10 leagues.
Some of these leagues might even collapse, leaving me with less to play in. However, my long-standing leagues aren’t going anywhere soon. The fewer leagues I manage, the more fun I’ll have. Remember, fantasy football should be a fun game, not a job. If you’re stressed about your leagues, consider dropping some. Ultimately, fewer leagues mean less stress and more fun!
Trending Now
