Millions of English soccer enthusiasts are gearing up to take a day off on Monday following England’s late-night showdown against Mexico. Thomas Tuchel’s team advanced to the round of 16 with a dramatic Harry Kane double against DR Congo in Atlanta. While the previous match began at a convenient 5 pm for UK fans, the upcoming game is scheduled for 1 am. Recent research by tech company Honor reveals that up to 70% of Brits intend to stay up late to watch the game.
Despite the late kick-off times, fans are willing to make sacrifices to catch every thrilling moment of the tournament. The study shows that 6.4% of employees are ready to call in sick to work, potentially resulting in 2.2 million people feigning illness on Monday morning out of the UK’s 34.4 million workforce.
For those unwilling to fake a sick day, getting adequate rest poses a challenge. Over half of the fans admit to struggling to sleep after a match, with the average supporter lying awake for nearly 40 minutes. To aid in post-match relaxation, Honor has collaborated with Dr. Sophie Bostock, renowned as The Sleep Scientist, to introduce the Fan Cool Down program. This scientifically-backed five-step routine helps fans transition from an excited state to sleep mode in about 10 minutes.
Dr. Bostock emphasizes that the physiological effects of late-night football matches are often overlooked. She explains that the intense emotional investment in a game can trigger physical responses akin to being on the field, leading to heightened adrenaline and heart rate. Without a deliberate wind-down routine, fans may find themselves replaying the match mentally instead of recuperating. The Fan Cool Down initiative aims to support the body’s natural recovery process, mirroring the post-match cool down routine professional players undergo.
The survey also indicates that less than a quarter of employers offer flexible working arrangements to accommodate late games. Consequently, around half of Britons expect to return to work after a late-night match if they haven’t taken time off. Danny Holden, UK PR manager at Honor, highlights the impact of the football season on sleep patterns and work productivity. He stresses the importance of a proper cool-down regimen post-game to aid in transitioning from match-induced stress to restful sleep.
To promote better sleep quality, The Sleep Scientist offers four tips for fans. Additionally, the Honor Watch 6, featuring a prolonged battery life, smart heart-rate monitoring, and a ‘professional football mode,’ is now available in limited Twilight Brown and Shadow Black editions at a special price.