How do you comfort someone who lost a big game?

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.

1. 1

   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 Go to source

2. 2

   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 Go to 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.

3. 3

   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. Go to source [4] X Research source Go to source
   • 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.[5] X Research source Go to source

4. 4

   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.[6] X Research source Go to 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.[7] X Research source Go to 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.

5. 5

   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.[8] X Research source Go to source [9] X Research source Go to source

6. 6

   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.[10] X Research source Go to source

Getting hard should be easy.

You can now get generic viagra 100% online, in the comfort of your home.

1. 1

   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.

2. 2

   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.[12] X Research source Go to source

3. 3

   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.

4. 4

   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.[13] X Research source Go to 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.

5. 5

   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.[14] X Research source Go to source [15] X Research source Go to source

• Question

  My team lost in the finals and they might lose the championship. What can I do?

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

• Question

  What should I do when people want to see my favorite player fail?

  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.

• Question

  I can't tolerate the loss. What should I do?

  Remember the loss had nothing to do with you.

• Question

  How can I become better at taking a loss?

  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.

• Question

  What if a team that finished the regular season undefeated won the winners bracket in the league tournament and lost in the final round of the tournament?

  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.

• Question

  Should I avoid social media when my favorite sports team loses?

  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.

• Question

  My favorite team has been losing quite frequently. What can I do to help them?

  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.

• Question

  What should I do if we lose the game and it is my fault?

  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.

• Question

  My team keeps losing in the first round of the MLB playoffs. They have had no good times to look back to. What should I do?

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

• Question

  Can I cry when my favorite sports team loses?

  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.

This article was co-authored by William Schroeder, MA, LPC, NCC. William Schroeder is a Licensed Professional Counselor and the Co-Owner of Just Mind, a counseling center in Austin, Texas that aims to remove the stigma from therapy. With more than 14 years of experience, he specializes in cognitive counseling with adults on issues such as loss, life transition, happiness, relationships, and career exploration. He has also received advanced training and works with clients with ADHD and Aspergers (ASD). William and Just Mind have been featured in publications such as The New York Times, Business Insider, and Readers Digest. William holds a BBA in Marketing from Loyola University, New Orleans, and an MA in Counseling Psychology from St. Mary’s University. This article has been viewed 185,232 times.

Co-authors: 24

Updated: January 6, 2022

Views: 185,232

Article Rating: 86% - 7 votes

Categories: Fandom

• Print
• Send fan mail to authors

Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 185,232 times.

• 

  "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."

• 

  "This is important for fans of sports who are angry following a loss that can develop long-term health concerns like these. I recommend to every sports fan to read this article."

• "This article helped me calm down a ton and get back to normal just a day after the Super Bowl instead of being still mad about it for a month like I was last time. "

• 

  "It helped me calm down and get a good night's rest after the Bucks lost."

• "It kept me from jumping off the bandwagon...and a bridge."

• "This could help me handle a loss better."

More reader stories Hide reader stories