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 double by Harry Kane against DR Congo in Atlanta. While the previous game started at a convenient 5pm UK time, the upcoming match kicks off at 1am, prompting up to 70% of Britons to stay up late to watch, as revealed by recent research by tech company Honor.
Despite the late hours, fans are undeterred and willing to go to great lengths to witness every thrilling moment of the tournament, with 6.4% of employees considering calling in sick. This could potentially lead to 2.2 million Brits feigning illness on Monday morning from a total workforce of 34.4 million.
For those not inclined to take a day off, ensuring a good night’s rest poses a challenge. Over half of fans admit to struggling to sleep post-match, with the average supporter lying awake for nearly 40 minutes. To assist in achieving quality sleep, Honor has collaborated with Dr. Sophie Bostock, also known as The Sleep Scientist, to introduce the Fan Cool Down. This scientifically backed five-step routine aims to help fans transition from a state of excitement to sleep in approximately 10 minutes.
Dr. Bostock emphasized that the physiological impact of watching a tense football match late at night is often underestimated. She explained how the body reacts similarly to being on the field, with adrenaline spikes and elevated heart rates. Without a structured cool-down routine, fans risk replaying the game in their minds instead of allowing their bodies to recover naturally. The Fan Cool Down regimen is designed to facilitate the body’s recovery process, akin to how athletes cool down after matches.
Research also highlighted the lack of flexibility in the workplace to accommodate late game timings, with less than a quarter of employers offering flexible working arrangements. Consequently, half of Britons anticipate going to work after a late-night match if they haven’t taken time off. Danny Holden, UK PR manager at Honor, emphasized the impact of the football season on sleep patterns and work schedules, noting the importance of a structured cool-down process for fans, supported by the Honor Watch 6 to monitor the transition from match-induced stress to rest.
To enhance sleep quality, The Sleep Scientist offers four tips for better rest. The Honor Watch 6, with its extended battery life and football-inspired features, is currently available at a promotional price.
