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Michelle Carter — Reviewed writer, former magazine editor
Approved Guide

How to Handle Cope when Your Favorite Sports Team Loses Step by Step

When cope when your favorite sports team loses leaves you confused, worried, or unsure what it means, a clear step-by-step approach can help you sort the signal from the stress. This guide explains how to understand the situation, reflect on what matters, choose a practical next step, and know when to ask for trusted support.

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Part 1

Reacting to a Loss

1

Turn off the TV.

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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
2

Acknowledge your feelings.

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. William Schroeder, MA, LPC, NCC Licensed Professional Counselor Expert Interview
  • Sometimes people allow things like the performance of their favorite team to affect their emotions.
  • 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.
  • William Schroeder, MA, LPC, NCC Licensed Professional Counselor Expert Interview
  • Sometimes people allow things like the performance of their favorite team to affect their emotions.
3

Eat something.

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.
  • 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.
  • Food can be a great comfort when faced with disappointment, including watching your team lose.
Part 2

Handling Disappointment Going Forward

1

Stay loyal to your team.

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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
2

Be prepared to deal with taunting from other fans.

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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Taunting, insults, and banter are parts of the sports fan experience, and you’ll almost certainly be a target after losing.
3

Be optimistic.

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.
  • 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.
  • The great thing about sports is that there will always be another game.
  • Another game means another chance to win.

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