From the World Cup to Concerts: Why Real-Life Experiences Matter for Your Mental Health
I ran into Dick’s Sporting Goods this morning to return something that had been sitting in my car for the last week and a half. On the receipt, they handed me a 30% off coupon valid for the next three hours. I remember thinking, that’s a good strategy, create a pathway to keep the money I just returned. And like a good consumer… I stayed.
I started walking around, not really looking for anything. But then I found myself in the boys section and then the men’s section standing in front of FIFA World Cup merchandise. And something shifted.
If you know me, you know I grew up playing soccer and still love the game. I went to my first World Cup match as a high school kid in June of 1994, the last time the U.S. hosted the men’s tournament. My dad took us to a game in Washington, D.C. I think it was the Netherlands playing, at least that’s what I remember because of all the orange in the stands. What I remember more clearly than the teams was the feeling. The energy. The noise. The sense that something big was happening. I felt inspired.
Since then, I’ve watched most World Cups. And in 2019, I went to France with one of my sisters to watch the Women’s World Cup. We saw the semi-final between the U.S. and England, the year the U.S. went on to win. Again, it wasn’t just the game. It was being there.
At this point, you might be thinking, what does Sarah’s love for soccer have to do with mental health?
Here’s the connection. There’s a difference between watching life and being in it. And a lot of us, especially high-functioning adults, spend more time observing, managing, and getting through the day than we do actually experiencing it. But when you step into something you genuinely enjoy, in a real, physical, in-person way, it does something different. It pulls you out of your head and back into your body. It interrupts the constant thinking, planning, and problem-solving. It gives your mind a break without you having to “try” to relax.
Plus, there’s actually data behind this. Research consistently shows that in-person experiences, especially shared ones, improve mood, reduce stress, and increase overall well-being. Being physically present with others increases connection, and even brief moments of shared excitement or interest can shift how we feel more than hours spent alone or online. It’s not just about the activity. It’s about the experience of being in it.
There’s also something about these moments that reinforces identity. When you’re at something you love, whether it’s a game, a concert, or even a conversation, you’re quietly reminding yourself: This is who I am. This is what I enjoy. And that matters more than we think.
So this week, I want to encourage you to consider a few things:
What do you actually enjoy?
What could you talk about all day without getting bored?
Where do you feel a sense of energy, interest, or even just curiosity?
And then take it one step further, what would it look like to experience that in real life? Not just scrolling it. Not just watching it. But stepping into it.
A closing example for me, I recently went to a concert in Pittsburgh to see Lake Street Dive. Over the last few years, they’ve become an easy band for me to go see. I have a few friends and a sister who enjoy them too. So it’s turned into something more than just music.
We’ve seen them in North Carolina (once in the pouring rain, Beech Mountain Music Festival), at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in the summer of 2024 (will always be hard to top), and recently with the Pittsburgh Symphony. Each time, it gives me something to look forward to and that piece matters.
Having something ahead of you, something you’re anticipating, can shift your mood in the present. It creates momentum. It gives shape to your time. It reminds you that life isn’t just about getting through the week. It’s about stepping into moments that wake you back up.
So maybe that’s the invitation, find one thing this month that you don’t just consume but experience. Something you care about. Something that pulls you in. Something that reminds you, you’re not just watching your life, you’re actually living it.
About the Author
Sarah Currie, Ph.D., LCMHC, is a licensed therapist at Halos Counseling. She works with individuals and couples who are often high-functioning on the outside but feel stuck, disconnected, or overwhelmed on the inside.