Q&A for How to Cope when Your Favorite Sports Team Loses

It's very hard, but hey, that's sport. You can't always win. So just be optimistic you'll beat them next year.

Don'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.

Remember the loss had nothing to do with you.

Read the steps above -- they are helpful. The Cavaliers just lost three straight, and these steps have helped remind me that it should not affect me long-term.

Just look at the positives of the season and the journey it took to get there. While plenty of teams have amazing regular seasons, but somehow flame out in the most important games of the season (one bad play could define an entire season of mostly excellence), they usually come back stronger in the next or future seasons. It's not the end if they don't take home the elusive championship, especially when they have the chance to do so next year.

It depends. While social media can be a great distraction and take your mind away from the loss, it can also make you sad if you follow sports in social media. If social media is reminding you of sports and your team, it might be a good idea to stay away from social media.

While you may not be able to help them win, you can continue to support them just as much while they're losing as you do when they're winning. Go to the games if you can, wear your fan gear proudly, and try to look on the bright side. Pay attention to what they're doing right, not just what they're doing wrong.

Just know that if you lose a game in a team effort, it wasn't completely your fault. Not everything will go well. Just be optimistic and go on.

Be optimistic that your team will win next year! Or play some baseball stimulation video games where you decide the draft and maybe win!

Crying is sometimes good to relieve stress, but do not allow yourself to go into a deep, out of control spiral. If you do not want to cry, find another way to release your stress from the loss.

No, you shouldn't. It's normal for someone to feel sad, disappointed, and/or frustrated after a loss, but if those feelings persist past a few days, then you may want to suggest that your spouse talk to a friend or therapist about how to handle situations that they have no control over.

It sounds like it's time to start looking forward to next year. Your team can begin working on improvements!

It's part of the officials' job to see that that doesn't happen. Expect them to do their job.

You'll notice right away that the world doesn't end when your team loses. Relax and look forward to next season like all the other non-winners.

If you're pretty sure your team is going to lose, and if you take no pleasure in watching them do so, it would be logical not to watch the game (unless you want to support the team by showing up in person). Don't forget that upsets are always possible in sports. Maybe your team will surprise you!

A few teams have achieved that level of success, but the typical distribution of athletic talent throughout most sports leagues is such that not many teams can win that often.

Yes, as this is considered domestic violence. Leave immediately and contact the authorities.

No, since this would be considered a crime and would get you in trouble with the law.

It's not unusual for someone to care that much about a team they love. Take a break from following sports news. That may help reduce the stress.

Try thinking that everything will get better. Trust the manager. Trust is the key to move forward in such moments.

Yes, it's OK to limit exposure to certain teams or matches depending on individual preferences.

No you shouldn’t have smashed your computer in a rage. Violently reacting to your favourite team losing is an unacceptable way to react to a loss. If you have anger management problems, consult a therapist to deal with your anger problems.

Think of times when their team lost against yours. Then you can remind the teasers that their time will come around again some day, just as it has before.

All officials can make mistakes; they are human as well. Shake hands at the end of the game and show respect; it's a sign of good sportsmanship.

It's a tough situation, this one. I'd say, don't take the rivalry seriously. What makes rivalries so intense is how close and competitive each game is, and if the rivalry is one-sided, it's not really a rivalry. If you know your time is going to lose when they play their "rival," keep your expectations low.