“Weekend Wins” is a monthly column by Katie Mest, finding the subtle wins of life and the NFL season. In its third edition, Katie shares tips for dealing with the winter blues, along with same-game parlay picks for the Giants-Texans game.
Somehow, Father Time has fast-forwarded us to the end of the calendar year.
Week 10. Fewer than two weeks from Thanksgiving. Right on the edge of the holiday season.
We are close to delicious dinners, family traditions and bear hugs from loved ones. But while we wait for the holiday spirit to kick in, ’tis also the season when some spirits are low.
Whether you are someone who’s usually heavily affected by the winter’s lack of sunshine or your professional burnout is getting the best of you, this time of year can be tough.
In addition to the normal hustle and bustle of the holiday season, your energy and mood do not want to cooperate with your attempted productivity. And on top of it all, your damn fantasy football team keeps losing.
We get it, and we are feeling it, too.
As we fall into the cold and dark season, it’s necessary to adjust your care practices, as well as expectations for yourself. In short: Be extra kind to yourself and listen to your body.
Prioritize Rest
If you are feeling tired all the time, make sure you are carving out additional time during your day to get the rest you need.
Start going to bed earlier or allow yourself a brief nap after work, schedule permitting. Even if you are not sleeping, give yourself some quiet time away from noise and devices.
Rest can also mean taking a step back from the grind. Pushing yourself through the 9-5 and following it up with additional commitments makes for a never-ending cycle of busyness. Grant yourself the freedom to take unnecessary work off your plate – for the time being.
Find Your Key Sources of Energy
When you get into a funk, move your body.
I know it’s the last thing you want to do when you barely have any energy to begin with, but with regular activity, you can build a routine. And with routine comes ease and even anticipation.
You don’t need a gym membership or even any equipment. Just move.
Develop a simple stretching regimen for your morning to get your blood flowing. Turn on some music and dance to lift the mood. Take your dog for extra long walks on the days you have the time.
Watch the Game, Not Your Phone
Yes, you have numerous fantasy football leagues to keep track of. Yes, you need to stay on top of injuries and bye weeks. No, you don’t have to let it take over your life.
When it all gets to be a little too much to deal with, pull back. Check your rosters Sunday mornings and briefly before individual games. Then put your phone away and remind yourself why you started playing fantasy football in the first place.
Because the game of football is crazy and unpredictable. It is played by talented and imperfect humans, and you can never actually foresee the outcome.
Let your match-up fall as it lies, and take in the game in front of you.
If you do still want to add some spice to your Sunday, though, drop a quick bet before you put that phone away.
NFL Sunday DraftKings Same-Game Parlay
Houston Texans @ New York Giants: Sunday @ 1 PM
• Giants: Moneyline Win (-210)
• Saquon Barkley: Over 99.5 Rushing Yards (+105)
• Daniel Jones: Over 34.5 Rushing Yards (+100)
Not only is Saquon Barkley a top running back option this week in your fantasy lineups, but he also deserves a spot in your parlay. Poised against the Texans’ defense, which has given up the most fantasy points per game to RBs this year, Barkley is set to have a big game. The Giants have fewer receiving options this week, pointing to a heavy workload for the team’s top RB. In that same vein, Daniel Jones’ rushing attempts could see an uptick with the weak coverage opportunity. All in all, I think the Giants’ high performance will bring them the win.
Total parlay odds: +340
Here’s to Week 10, the freakin’ weekend and new opportunities to win. Follow me on Twitter @km_betweenFF.