Psychologists offer tips to manage Thunder playoff anxiety ahead of Game 7

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — As the Oklahoma City Thunder prepare for the biggest game in franchise history—Game 7 of the NBA Finals—mental health professionals say the emotional toll on fans is very real.

A viral social media post summed it up: “It’s hard to describe to anyone that doesn’t live in Oklahoma how sleepy we are. Between thunderstorms, tornadoes and Thunder playoff games, we haven’t slept in two months.”

Add the stress of a Game 6 loss and the long wait for Game 7 on Sunday, and it’s no surprise mental health professionals say they’re hearing about Thunder-induced stress more and more.

OU Health Chief Psychiatrist Dr. Britta Ostermeyer told News 4 she’s seen a noticeable increase in patients mentioning the Thunder in recent weeks.

“People are really excited,” Ostermeyer said. “Everybody now has the expectation that’s raised. It’s like, ‘One more game! Come on! We can do it!’”

That stress, she says, comes from your brain craving the massive dopamine hit a win would bring, while fighting itself to stay grounded in reality.

“We actually get a high in our reward system similar to, let’s say you have a good wine of glass,” Ostermeyer said. “It gets pretty much activated and wants to engage and wants to indulge. But other parts of the brain are saying, wait a minute, we have not been declared the winner.”

She says it’s important to plan ahead. Go ahead—wear your lucky jersey. Say your lucky prayers. But also: distract yourself.

“Meeting with people, eating, sleeping, maybe a good movie, maybe reading a book, exercising,” Ostermeyer said. “Exercising is priceless. It is such a healthy thing to do for the mind and the body. There is no pill that can reach the benefit of exercising.”

Whether you’re the type of person who likes to knock on wood and remind yourself things could go either way, or you’re the type of person who doesn’t want to hear anything but the words “we will win,” she says—stick with whatever mindset brings you the most peace.

“There is no single way for everybody,” Ostermeyer said. “Sunday can be anything you want. The main thing is that you’re comfortable, you’re okay, and in the end, you got to have fun.”

She also had one final suggestion:

“Go Thunder!” Ostermeyer said.

Ostermeyer told News 4 she and other mental health professionals in the area have seen a sizable increase in patients bringing up Thunder-related stress ever since the team made the playoffs, so if you’re feeling it, you’re definitely not alone.

And regardless of what happens Sunday, she says, just remember—you will live to see another day.