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Watching your favorite team lose can be tough to handle, almost as much as watching them win can give you great excitement and joy. Losing is part of sports, though, and you’ll see your team lose plenty of games. Learning how to handle the losses is an important part of being a fan.
Steps
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Talk to other fans. Sports are a great communal experience, and even if you are watching alone at home, there are other people out there enjoying the game too. Call your friends who are also fans to let off steam and cope with the disappointment of a losing team. Consider joining a fan club or online forums to talk more about your disappointment and even brainstorm ways to fix what went wrong. If you are going to suffer, it’s better to do so with other fans. [1] X Research source
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Turn off the TV. If you are watching the game, and your team loses, you don’t have to wallow in your disappointment. Turn off the television and do something else. Find another activity to take your mind off of the result. [2] X Research source
- You’ll want to find something that has nothing to do with the team or game you just watched. Read a book, cook something, or watch a movie that takes place in an exotic location. Make sure you are doing something completely different.
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Acknowledge your feelings. Sometimes people allow things like the performance of their favorite team to affect their emotions. That’s okay. If you are angry or upset about your team losing, don’t pretend otherwise. Give yourself a chance to vent a little bit, or at least be disappointed. [3] X Expert Source William Schroeder, MA, LPC, NCC
Licensed Professional Counselor Expert Interview. 27 September 2021.- Keep control. Because it’s only a game, there is no reason for your anger or sadness to lead to personally destructive behavior. If you are at the game, go ahead and yell a bit, but avoid shouting at other fans (especially fans of the other team). Avoid stirring up fights or throwing things as well. [4] X Research source
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Eat something. Food can be a great comfort when faced with disappointment, including watching your team lose. Just make sure to eat healthy if you can. People tend to reach for sweets and other unhealthy foods when dealing with a loss. Instead, make sure you are surrounded by healthier foods so that you aren’t tempted to pack on the pounds after defeat. [5] X Research source
- Comfort food, a term for rich foods that tend to make people feel good after eating it, are popular choices after a loss. They are filling, and may remind people of pleasant memories like childhood, and other things to take the mind off of losing. Look for hearty foods like macaroni and cheese, stews, pot pies, meatloaf, and sweets, which are all popular “comfort” choices. To make these options a bit healthier, consider using lower fat creams and cheeses, swapping out beef for turkey in meatloaf or chili, or adding vegetables. If you are looking for something sweeter, eat darker chocolate. [6] X Research source
- Avoid overeating . While it is okay to enjoy a little snack to feel better after a loss, remember to control your portion size. Use smaller plates when eating to prevent you from overdoing it, and put away the snack after putting some on your plate.
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Get a little exercise. Some physical activity can be a good way to work off the frustration of watching your team go down in defeat. Even just a few pushups or jumping jacks, or a quick jog, can help work off your stress and disappointment. It can also give you an energy boost and stave off further anxiety over your team’s performance. [7] X Research source [8] X Research source
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Remember that it’s just a game. A loss can really sting, but try to remember that it's just one game or season—your team always has another shot. This may not make losing less disappointing, but it can make it easier to move on and get excited about future games. [9] X Research source
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Stay loyal to your team. One loss shouldn’t be enough to drive you from supporting your team. Staying loyal after a loss, or even when moving to a different city, can give you a big psychological boost. Plus, sticking it out through the bad times will make it feel even better when your team does win the big one.
- Think about what you love about your team, like the bonds it builds in your city or among your friends, or the characters of your favorite players. [10]
X
Expert Source
William Schroeder, MA, LPC, NCC
Licensed Professional Counselor Expert Interview. 27 September 2021.
- Think about what you love about your team, like the bonds it builds in your city or among your friends, or the characters of your favorite players. [10]
X
Expert Source
William Schroeder, MA, LPC, NCC
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Remember the good times. While losses hurt, no team loses all the time. To get over a big defeat, think about your team’s good times. Remember great comebacks, championships, or even just good times with friends and family watching your team. If you’ve watched your team before this game, there will be some moments you can look back on fondly. [11] X Research source
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Be prepared to deal with taunting from other fans. Taunting, insults, and banter are parts of the sports fan experience, and you’ll almost certainly be a target after losing. Rather than being surprised when it happens, be prepared to handle it appropriately.
- Ignore it. Like other forms of teasing or bullying, taunts from opposing fans can be ignored. Laugh it off, or just walk away. Don’t give them the satisfaction of knowing they got to you. Those fans didn’t play in the game, so who cares what they think?
- Give it right back. Don’t be afraid to respond with a few taunts of your own. You can probably think of a few good insults for the opposing team and their fans. It won’t change the result of the game, but can be another good way to vent your frustrations.
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Be optimistic. The great thing about sports is that there will always be another game. Another game means another chance to win. Instead of dwelling on the game your team lost today, think about the game they could win next time out. [12] X Research source
- Depending on where you are in the season, a loss can even be helpful to your team’s future performance. Finishing lower in the standings might mean a better draft pick, or a chance to see underperforming players replaced.
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Talk to a therapist. While being sad after watching your team lose is not unusual, it should not have long-term effects on your emotional health. If you find that a loss is affecting your ability to live in the real world, look for professional help. Just because your depression seems to be coming from the outcome of a sporting event doesn’t mean it isn’t a real concern. [13] X Research source [14] X Research source
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Community Q&A
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QuestionMy team lost in the finals and they might lose the championship. What can I do?Community AnswerIt's very hard, but hey, that's sport. You can't always win. So just be optimistic you'll beat them next year.
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QuestionWhat should I do when people want to see my favorite player fail?Community AnswerDon't worry. Seeing a person make mistakes or fail is what makes them human. No one can be perfect. Just enjoy the whole team and remember your favorite player is only one small part of the team and people wanting to see them fail are just jealous.
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QuestionI can't tolerate the loss. What should I do?Community AnswerRemember the loss had nothing to do with you.
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Tips
Tips from our Readers
The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
- Try your best to be happy for the fans on the opposite side, who are probably excited to have a win. Seeing things with kindness will help you feel better!
- Accept that what has happened was completely beyond your control, and do your best to let go of the negative feelings.
- Distract yourself with another task, like reading a book or a newspaper, or watching a good movie.
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Warnings
- While it is okay to vent your feelings after a loss, avoid doing things that can be damaging to you and those around you. This means no fighting, violence, or anything that could put you in harm’s way.Thanks
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References
- ↑ http://www.telegraph.co.uk/men/thinking-man/10817517/Is-watching-football-making-you-depressed.html
- ↑ http://www.telegraph.co.uk/men/thinking-man/10817517/Is-watching-football-making-you-depressed.html
- ↑ William Schroeder, MA, LPC, NCC. Licensed Professional Counselor. Expert Interview. 27 September 2021.
- ↑ https://kidshealth.org/en/kids/anger.html
- ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-new-you/201412/how-your-favorite-team-is-making-you-pack-pounds
- ↑ http://www.clemson.edu/extension/hgic/food/nutrition/nutrition/dietary_guide/hgic4093.html
- ↑ http://www.adaa.org/living-with-anxiety/managing-anxiety/exercise-stress-and-anxiety
- ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-new-you/201412/how-your-favorite-team-is-making-you-pack-pounds
- ↑ https://www.thehealthsite.com/body-mind-soul/7-tips-to-deal-with-the-heartbreak-when-your-favourite-team-loses-146573/
- ↑ William Schroeder, MA, LPC, NCC. Licensed Professional Counselor. Expert Interview. 27 September 2021.
- ↑ https://www.thehealthsite.com/body-mind-soul/7-tips-to-deal-with-the-heartbreak-when-your-favourite-team-loses-146573/
- ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-mindful-self-express/201506/8-ways-bounce-back-after-disappointment
- ↑ http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/living-in-an-imaginary-world/
- ↑ http://www.telegraph.co.uk/men/thinking-man/10817517/Is-watching-football-making-you-depressed.html
About This Article
Article Summary
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It can be tough when your favorite team loses, but with a little self-care and perspective, you’ll get through it. If you’re watching the game, turn off the TV and do something else to get your mind off it. Read a book, listen to music, or go for a walk to work off your frustration. Alternatively, you could call a friend who’s also a fan to let off some steam about the game. It’s likely that they’re feeling the same as you! Keep in mind that losses hurt, but your team has had plenty of good times too, so try focusing on those. A true fan will try their best to stay optimistic. After all, there’s always next season. To learn how to deal with taunting from other fans, read on.
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Reader Success Stories
- "The tips about exercising and finding an unrelated activity to clear my mind helped the most. I did a few jumping jacks to let off some steam, and then watched a few episodes of one of my favorite shows so I had something other than the loss to focus on." ..." more
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"The tips about exercising and finding an unrelated activity to clear my mind helped the most. I did a few jumping jacks to let off some steam, and then watched a few episodes of one of my favorite shows so I had something other than the loss to focus on."
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