die hard fan
Since you managed to find this, I don't need to calculate to know that you must be a die-hard, unshakable fan.
As true fans of the World Cup, I believe everyone is in a state of obsession during the tournament:
"Dark circles during the day, staying up late to watch matches at night."
However, after the 2002 Korea-Japan World Cup, this year's Russia World Cup is the closest to China, with only a 5-hour time difference. This is very considerate and directly gives Chinese fans a strong mental buff of not having to stay up all night!
So, during this crazy month and one day, how should a hardcore fan like you spend it?
Overnight Guide
According to the usual match schedule and considering the time difference with Europe, matches generally start at 8 PM, 11 PM, and 2 AM. This means the latest match starts at 2 AM and is estimated to end around 4 or 5 AM. Especially, the two semi-finals are at 2 AM on Wednesday and Thursday, which is a delightful dilemma for office workers and students.
If you've decided to stay up late, please make sure to keep these scientific tips for staying up late:
1. Prepare for staying up late
Staying up late inevitably makes you sleepy, so it's essential to get some sleep in advance. Adequate sleep will replenish your energy for the upcoming late night and allow your body to rest, reducing some harm. Before sleeping, you can take a hot bath, soak your feet in hot water, and drink some warm milk to ensure a better short nap and an energetic night.
Before starting to stay up late, take a vitamin B complex pill. Vitamin B can relieve fatigue and enhance the body's stress resistance. Keep your waist and abdomen warm to avoid catching a cold or having diarrhea. Drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration, and do not replace water with tea or coffee.
When staying up late, the brain's oxygen demand increases, so do deep breathing exercises frequently. Do not sit for the entire night; move around every hour. This helps to stay alert and prevents back and waist injuries.
Here's a recommended set of exercises for you: ➡️Full-body stretching and relaxation exercises, suitable for any location, mainly to relax all muscles. You can do them during the halftime break.
2. Keep warm at night
Although the World Cup is in summer, the temperature at night is always lower than during the day. Especially when you are engrossed in the exciting matches, you might ignore the temperature difference, making it easier to catch a cold. So, whether you're watching in a bar or at home, we do not recommend watching shirtless. Keep a blanket nearby for convenience.
In southern cities, many people like to sleep with the air conditioner on, but we still do not recommend watching matches in an enclosed space with the air conditioner on. Staying in an air-conditioned room for a long time, especially in an exciting environment, makes it easier to suffer from oxygen deficiency and cold. At this time, opening windows for ventilation and breathing fresh air is beneficial for you staying up late to watch matches.
3. Post-stay-up replenishment
After staying up late to watch matches, replenishing your body is crucial. Do not skip breakfast after staying up late; eat some hot food to reduce stomach damage. Increase your vitamin intake, especially vitamins B and E.
For matches ending around 4 to 5 AM, office workers still have about two hours to rest. Make sure to go to bed for a nap, which protects your body and ensures you won't be sleepy at work the next day.
If unfortunately, you feel sleepy or cannot concentrate at work the next day, try taking a nap to wake yourself up. Although the so-called "Da Vinci sleep method" lacks scientific evidence, a short nap during break time is still very helpful.
Arrange your match-watching schedule reasonably according to your favorite team's match times. Use these methods to stay up late "healthily" and "scientifically," minimizing the harm caused by staying up late. But please be sure not to disturb your neighbors' rest.
Leave Guide
The World Cup is about to start, and the matches are concentrated at night. Staying up late to watch matches is inevitable, which tests your ability to balance work and life (leave).
So, what reasons have you used to ask for leave to watch the World Cup?
Let's see some (high) talented answers:
Willful style—Boss, I quit because I want to watch the World Cup.
Smart style—The client said he would sign the contract if I watch the match with him.
So, have you figured out how to ask for leave?
Here is a complete leave guide for you, come and save the pictures!
Above all, don't let your boss see this, call me Lei Feng.
Eating and Drinking Guide
Although the time difference between Russia and China is not significant, you still have to stay up late. Since lack of sleep is inevitable, adjusting your energy and physical strength by eating well is essential.
Grilled skewers and beer seem like the best combination for staying up late to watch matches, but eating grilled skewers late at night is very harmful to your body. The meat is directly grilled at high temperatures, producing a carcinogen called benzopyrene, which can easily induce stomach and colon cancer.
Overly salty foods can cause swelling after staying up late, and high-starch foods that make you feel full can burden your stomach and induce sleepiness. Foods high in iron can accelerate calcium loss in the body.
What to eat while staying up late to watch the World Cup?
Drink green tea or soak goji berries in water
Green tea can refresh you and eliminate excess free radicals in the body, making you feel clear-headed. People with weak stomachs can soak goji berries in water, which helps relieve stress and improve vision.
Whole wheat bread and other whole grain foods
The sympathetic nervous system is active during the day and rests at night. Staying up late changes the alternation of excitement, leading to memory loss, slow reactions, and dizziness. Eating more whole grains rich in vitamin B can support brain function and enhance skin resistance.
Milk, cheese, eggs
Dairy products are high-protein foods rich in amino acids, which can protect brain cells and help them quickly regain vitality. Staying up late disrupts bone absorption and deposition, leading to bone loss. Drinking milk can supplement calcium and inhibit nerve excitement.
Nuts like walnuts
Walnuts are rich in vitamins, minerals, amino acids, fatty acids, antioxidants, and dietary fiber. Especially alpha-linolenic acid and vitamin E, which improve memory and enhance brain vitality.
Fruits and vegetables
Fruit and vegetable juices contain active enzymes, dietary fiber, and phytochemicals, which are excellent antioxidants. It's best to choose orange-yellow fruits and vegetables.
When to eat while staying up late to watch the World Cup?
At dinner
Dinner should include more high-protein foods like lean meat, fish, eggs, and beans to avoid midnight hunger. Avoid drinking too much cold beer, which can cause stomach discomfort and, in severe cases, gastritis and enteritis.
At midnight
Midnight snacks should be light, easy to digest, and highly nutritious, such as corn porridge, millet porridge, and mung bean porridge.
During halftime
Snacks should be mainly liquid and carbohydrate-rich foods, such as soy milk, vegetable soup, fruits, and pastries.
Trivia Guide
After watching so many World Cup matches and staying up late so many times, you know a lot of famous players, but you might not know the following facts.
Alright, here comes the World Cup trivia, starting now:
1. What do the champions, runners-up, and third-place teams get?
The champion team wins a trophy made mainly of pure gold, the Jules Rimet Trophy. The runners-up and third-place teams receive medals, while the fourth-place team only gets a certificate.
2. What was the predecessor of the World Cup?
From 1930 to 1970, the World Cup was named the Jules Rimet Cup to commemorate the founder of the World Cup, former FIFA president Jules Rimet. It was made of pure silver, gold-plated on the outside, with a lapis lazuli base, and featured the Greek goddess of victory, Nike, with wings.
3. In which World Cup did Paul the Octopus become famous?
The 2010 South Africa World Cup. Paul the Octopus gained fame during the 2010 South Africa World Cup by accurately "predicting" Germany's win over Australia, loss to Serbia, and win over Ghana in the group stage. He also "predicted" Germany's win over England in the round of 16, their win over Argentina in the quarter-finals, their loss to Spain in the semi-finals, and their win over Uruguay in the third-place match. He even "predicted" Spain's victory over the Netherlands in the final, achieving an 8-for-8 prediction record with 100% accuracy, earning the title "Octopus Emperor."
4. Which team has never missed a World Cup?
Since the first World Cup, Brazil has never missed a tournament and still holds the record for the most appearances in the World Cup finals.
5. Which strong teams missed this World Cup?
Chile, Italy, the Netherlands, and the United States. Among them, Chile is ranked the highest, currently ninth in the world.
Who has the most tearful fans recently? It has to be Buffon's loyal fans. Originally hoping for a perfect farewell at the 2018 World Cup, Buffon had to bid a tearful goodbye to the national team. This is also the first time since the 1958 World Cup that Italy has missed the World Cup finals, making them the only one of the eight former champion teams to miss this tournament.
6. Which team is the world's most famous "uncrowned king"?
The Netherlands. The Orange team reached the finals in 1974, 1978, and 2010, only to finish as runners-up, just one step away from the top. This fully demonstrates the strength of the Dutch team. Although the young tulips did not bloom on Russian soil, flowers will bloom again, and they will surely rise again.
7. How many calories are burned in a high-intensity international football match?
In a high-intensity international match, each player performs over 1,000 actions, burning 2,000 to 2,500 calories, equivalent to 10 bottles of beer.In a match, each player runs an average of 8,000 to 10,000 meters or more. Midfielders run the most, averaging 15,000 meters.
8. Honestly, how many holes are in a goal net?
A standard football goal net consists of 1,278 to 1,864 grids.
9. Which country is the largest producer of footballs?
Pakistan, specifically the eastern city of Sialkot. Tracing back to 400 BC, it is known as the "ball-making capital," with an annual production of 60 million footballs. Even the official World Cup footballs are hand-stitched here.
10. Where are the loudest fans?
A propeller plane taking off produces 105 decibels, a jet plane taking off produces 110 decibels, and a rocket launch produces 130 decibels. However, at Schalke 04's home stadium, the fans' cheers were measured at 129 decibels.
Cherish life, love football more.
Wish everyone a happy World Cup season!
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