Stressed about the Oilers’ Stanley Cup Final run? Here are some tips to de-stress between games

Connor McDavid on the bench at the end of Game 3 against the Florida Panthers on Monday, June 9, 2025. (Sportsnet)

After Monday’s decisive loss to the Florida Panthers, Oilers fans may, understandably, find themselves stressed out over the fate of their favourite team.

Not to worry, stress has been studied extensively over the years and the ways to relieve it are numerous.

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Here are some tips for relieving that Stanley Cup Final stress:

Get active

Much like the players, getting out and being active is a necessity for staying healthy, and most forms of physical activity can act as a stress reliever.

Being active can pump you up with feel-good endorphins and other natural chemicals that boost your sense of well-being, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Some suggestions include:

• walking or running;
• biking;
• gardening;
• cleaning the house;
• weight training;
• swimming;
• boxing; and
• using a punching bag with the Panthers’ logo on it.

One enterprising craftsmaker online was selling Panthers-themed stress relief toys, but was sold out. There are plenty of tutorials online for making your own “dammit doll,” as they’re known, even if you would have to buy Panthers fabric for this particular one.

Eat right

We’ve all been stressed enough to finish an entire tub of cookies and cream ice cream in one sitting, but that’s not healthy, of course.

Stress can kill the appetite, but when the body releases the hormone cortisol during chronic stress (every playoff game) it can cause sugar and fat cravings, according to the American Psychological Association.

This can in turn cause a buildup of fat around internal organs that can cause cardiovascular and metabolic diseases.

Making sure to get plenty of fruits and vegetables, like oranges and blueberries, to balance out a reasonable amount of ice cream consumption can help prevent those issues.

Foods that are high in fiber, protein and omega-3 fatty acids are also good choices for relieving stress and anxiety.

Drinking away the pain of a 6-1 loss also isn’t the way to go, as alcohol, smoking and controlled substances can increase stress levels.

• ‘Not our best’: Undisciplined Oilers thumped 6-1 by Panthers in ugly Game 3

Centre your mind

Meditation is a common suggestion for people looking to relax as it can give you the sense of calm, peace and balance needed to shoot a trick shot over the shoulder of Sergei Bobrovsky in Game 4.

Meditation can be done anywhere: at home, on the bus, while in a waiting room or out on a walk. If you need a mantra to calm your mind, just think ‘Ekh-OOOOOLM,’ instead of ‘OM.’

One example is mindfulness meditation, where you focus intensely on what you’re feeling in the moment without interpretation or judgement.

The Mayo Clinic has more information about this type of meditation.

Get enough sleep

It can be hard to get enough sleep in a day, especially since stress can prevent you from falling asleep.

Most adults need seven to nine hours of sleep each night to help the body recharge.

Better sleep can improve your mood, energy levels and focus.

Establishing a regular routine can help with falling asleep, as well as listening to soothing music, keeping the sleeping area cool, dark and quiet as well as putting phones and tablets away, or remembering the Oilers came back from 0-2 against the Los Angeles Kings.

The calming effects of metal and other music

Metal and other heavy music isn’t known for being soothing – quite the opposite in fact – but it can actually calm you down.

Research has shown that music of any genre can help the brain relax, but there have been studies that show heavier music can increase positive emotions in the listener.

One study induced anger in the participants and found that the ones listening to heavier music after becoming angry appeared to experience “an increase in positive emotions.”

“This study found that extreme music fans listen to music when angry to match their anger, and to feel more active and inspired,” the study by Leah Sharman and Genevieve A. Dingle out of the University of Queensland found.

“They also listen to music to regulate sadness and to enhance positive emotions.”

You could also listen to Edmonton’s Chorus Inspira sing their Oilers-themed rendition of O Fortuna to get into an epic and victorious headspace.

• ‘O(ilers) Fortuna’: Edmonton choir cheers Oilers on like only a choir can

Yes, buying another Oilers jersey could help

Retail therapy is the act of buying things with the intention of improving your mood, specifically items that are wanted, rather than needed.

This can be financially detrimental so people should always be aware of how much they can reasonably spend and not go overboard.

Studies have shown that even small things like getting some candy or a magazine from the grocery store checkout line can boost a person’s mood, according to the Cleveland Health Clinic.

Buying something that isn’t a necessity can give people a boost of hormones like dopamine, serotonin and endorphins, give a sense of personal control over and promote the visualization of positive outcomes.

If you’re looking to support your favourite Edmonton team while spending money, you might not need a third Connor McDavid jersey. Consider showing some love for the newer Oilers like Jake Walman and John Klingberg.

Reach out to friends and family

When people are stressed and irritable, they sometimes want to isolate themselves, which can be unhealthy.

Talking to others, sometimes about the source of the stress and other times about whatever else comes to mind (best brand of cookies and cream ice cream), can offer a distraction, support and balance.

On the other hand, offering support to others can achieve a similar goal, increasing positive emotions and decreasing negative ones.

“Just make sure your relationships stay in balance,” the American Psychological Association wrote online. “A friend who requires support but never gives it may increase your stress level.”

Be kind to yourself, there’s always next year

When struggling with stress, it’s difficult to get in a positive headspace, which makes it difficult to relax.

Being in a stress-induced negative headspace can cause people to think hurtful things about themselves and the teams they love.

“In these moments, try to remind yourself that you’re not at fault,” the U.K. Mental Health Foundation wrote online.

“Stress has an intense effect on all of us, and it’s important to be kind to yourself.”

And remember, there’s a lot of hockey to be played.

• Oilers contemplating at least one lineup change for Game 4 of Stanley Cup final

The Oilers are only down 2-1 in the Cup series against the Panthers. Game 4 is Thursday at 6 p.m. MT.