Whether you like sports or not, the Super Bowl is arguably one of the most important cultural events of the year. You may watch it for the game, the halftime show — how bout Dre and Snoop? — or even just the commercials. CNBC estimated around 117 million people watched the Super Bowl last Sunday. Countless households get together to host Super Bowl parties, often lasting late into the night. Because the Super Bowl is such an integral part of American popular culture, the day after should be made into a national holiday to give citizens much needed rest.
Truman State University is noted for having a difficult workload, and many of us likely had homework due Monday. Or, if you are unlucky like me, you had multiple tests that dominated your weekend. This meant you were either forced to have no life for much of the weekend or stay up into the wee hours of the night studying or working. The inevitable result is that you will be dragging the next day. Not every professor is a gifted public speaker, and there are only so many hour and a half lectures you can take before you start to nod off. It is unrealistic to expect students to pick rigorous studying over a night of watching a fun game with friends.
Alcohol is a centerpiece of many Super Bowl parties. Football and alcohol are like chocolate and peanut butter: a perfect pair. If you are of age and enjoy football — an increasing number of people, if Super Bowl viewership is any indication — then it is likely that you might have had a few drinks. Hangovers stink, but they are even worse when you have to get up early for work or school.
Even if you do not drink, you will still likely be up late. Games can last until around 9 or 10 p.m., and it may take you a while to either drive home or hail a ride home. Sleep deprivation can have serious effects not only on your mental and physical productivity but it can also impact your work performance. The Sleep Foundation reports that sleep deprivation can “impair thinking, slow physical reactions, and leave people feeling emotionally drained.”
The Super Bowl is being viewed by an increasing number of people, and its celebrations are impacting more and more citizens. Post-Super Bowl fatigue is real, and it is time that lawmakers and administrators realize it. So next year, cut loose at your Super Bowl party and sleep in on Monday morning.