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With the arrival of March Madness, that will last from now until April 8, women not necessarily involved in the game may need to develop a new mindset. Some of the addictive quality that takes place with fantasy football spills over into March Madness, but here is the good news — unlike an entire football season, it is short-lived and there are ways for couples to survive — through some friendly negotiations.
Either get involved in the game or find some diversions with your best female friends. Or take the advice of Stephanie Sarkis, Ph.D.who tells us: "Even if you don't know the players, teams, or even the fundamentals of basketball, you can get into March Madness. Because it is one of those events that plays out the human condition - hard work, competition, joy, sorrow - before our eyes. in The Joy of March Madness | Psychology Today.
What not to do!
During March Madness, saying “You can’t watch that college basketball game today, you promised to help me clean the house. Besides there will be another game tomorrow,” are fighting words.
Here’s why: Cody Thompson for the Daily Muse calls this 64-team tournament “a one-and-done style — as in, if you lose once, you’re headed back to campus to play flip-cup or bouncy-cup or destroy-cup or whatever they’re playing these days.”
5 tips may help you survive living with a die-hard sports fan
Tip 1: You can spend time with your best female friends — shopping or just watching a marathon of “Dancing with the Stars” or “Suits” or “Downton Abbey” or whatever is a “can’t miss” show for you.
Tip 2: You can choose to join the sports addicted by getting involved in the game. Check out March Madness on the Internet. Catch terms such as “brackets” and ask him to explain. You may not be the least bit interested, but consider this — is he really interested when you ask him if you should wear blue or purple? Here is a bit of help with brackets: Bracketology: March Madness Brackets Are Everywhere.
Tip 3: Be outrageous. Sit next to your guy wearing nothing more than a basketball shirt and hope for passion. But don’t be disappointed if he says, “You’re distracting me.”
Tip 4: Smile thoughout the season instead of pouting. We always wants the lines on faces pointing up instead of down.
Tip 5: You can have a huge fight about his sports addiction and hope it leads to great makeup sex.
Professor Dr. Aaron Ben-Zeév, explains on PsychologyToday.com that “when we are excited by one stimulus, we are likely to be easily excited by another one. Makeup sex is considered by many to be the best sex there is, which in many cases is worth the fight.” Why Make-Up Sex and Breakup Sex Are So Good
However, he points out that enjoying an event together can trigger great sex.
What men want
An often heard complaint from young men whom I had interviewed for a column had to do with game play. Men wanted women to ask for what they wanted, “rather than play games,” particularly if the men were planning to watch a game of football or basketball.Men’s Top 4 Wishes and Why You Should Grant Them
Here's a thought. How about watching a game together? Yes, it could be painful, but have you ever had him sit through a movie that you should have attended with your BFF? If you are not convinced, have a look at Woody Allen and Diane Keaton in the movie scene of Manhattan Murder Mystery.
Although I do not own a TV, every once in a while I feel a need to check in with Hulu.com. As I completed March Madness, this movie serendipitously crossed the screen.
Photo from www.free-extras.com (Article adapted from my Providence Journal column.)
Copyright 2013 Rita Watson/ All Rights Reserved
