Do you miss the Olympics? How to overcome Olympic withdrawal syndrome

Do you miss the Olympics? Us too. Not even 48 hours have passed since Tom Cruise brought the closing ceremony in Paris to a spectacular climax, but we’re struggling. How did we break up the workday before sneaking peeks at the triathlon? What did we scroll through on social media before endless TikToks of chocolate muffins to devour in the Olympic Village? And what would life be without that Australian breakdancer?

The Paris 2024 Olympic Games came at a time when we really needed them. The world can be a tough place and the news is often hard to digest, but the Olympics were a joy to see thousands of incredible athletes from around the world getting out there, doing their best, supporting each other and having the time of their lives. We loved the diverse bodies, the niche sports, the celebrity crowds, the gossip, the romance, the memes, the hairstyles and of course, the medals. Letting go is hard. We’re not ready. Snoop Dogg probably isn’t either.

We call what we experience OWS (Olympics Withdrawal Syndrome), and as the name suggests, it can be painful. If you’re also suffering from a severe case of OWS, the good news is that you’re not alone – and there is help available.

Be patient: the Paralympics are coming!

Right now, we like to imagine that someone is frantically vacuuming the bedrooms in the Olympic Village, someone else is baking thousands of muffins, and a whole team is quietly tweaking the branding of any unsold items – all in preparation for the fact that THE PARALYMPICS START IN TWO WEEKS!

So hang in there, maybe take a little vacation if you can (many of the athletes do), and before you know it, you’ll have 10 days to experience wheelchair basketball, blind football, and para athletics. In fact, there are 22 sports in total and 4,400 athletes from around the world. If you’ve had tears in your eyes, jumped on the couch, and screamed at the TV every time someone triumphed over adversity at the Olympics, just wait until you see these guys in competition.

Starting August 29, all Paralympics events will be streamed on the Peacock app, along with live coverage on NBC, CNBC and USA Network, as well as the official Paralympics YouTube channel and the International Paralympic Committee website.

Start training for LA 2028

Where does confidence end and self-deception begin? Honestly, who cares! About 40 percent of Americans say they believe they have what it takes to compete in the Olympics. You can laugh about it and roll your eyes, or you can be one of them and maybe even find a whole new hobby to enrich your life.

OK, OK, Olympians are pretty much superhuman in strength and have trained THEIR WHOLE LIVES, but it’s entirely possible to learn and even master a new sport or skill whether you’re 15, 35 or 65. So you probably won’t make it to LA 2028, but what if your future new best friend is desperately wanting to find a synchronized swimming partner? Or maybe the love of your life just signed up to your local athletics club? Or maybe you’d just reap huge benefits to your physical and mental health if you took up surfing, cycling or rugby? There’s only one way to find out!

If you have children who are enthusiastic, all the better! Let them give this new sport a try. But if it’s dressage, our condolences. It looks expensive.

Related: All must-see photos from the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris

The 2024 Paris Olympic Games have produced numerous picture-perfect moments since they began on July 26. Perhaps the most viral snapshot came during the third round of the men’s surfing competition on July 29. After completing a barrel ride in Teahupo’o, Tahiti, Brazilian surfer Gabriel Medina rose into the air and pointed his finger at the (…)

Host a costume party

Admit it, you just really want a sparkly leotard. But if that’s not appropriate attire for your office, you may be wondering how you can justify such a purchase. The perfect solution: throw an Olympic-themed costume party! Chances are your friends and family miss the Olympics too and would jump at the opportunity to show their appreciation.

There are so many great options. You can Simone Biles strut around in patriotic sequins, Ilona Maher in a rugby shirt and bright red lipstick a real eye-catcher, Ray gun Throwing kangaroo shapes in an oversized green tracksuit, or even, if you meet certain qualifications, doing pole vaulting which is… well, you know.

You can even play Olympic-themed games, but please note: archery and alcohol do not mix well.

Watch a classic sports movie

If we had to identify what is special about the Olympic Games, it is the feeling that seemingly ordinary people can accomplish extraordinary and superhuman things and that, in doing so, we witness a powerful cocktail of emotions: pride, determination, awe, bravery, love, confidence and, at times, anger and disappointment.

The good news is that there are a plethora of great films that perfect this formula as well. Much like the Olympics themselves, the best films take a sport you previously had no interest in and make it extremely engaging, whether through humor, tragedy, romance, or all three. If it’s been a while since you’ve seen Cool Runnings, Brittany runs a marathon, Rocky, Kick it like Beckham or A league of its ownnow the time has come. And yes, Bring it on counts absolutely.