This is How Rooting for a Perennial Losing Team Affects Your Mental Health

Medically reviewed by Brandon Jacobi, MD

Rooting for your favorite team can sometimes feel like a one-way relationship.

When you feel attached to your favorite sports team, it is fulfilling to see them win.

That same attachment can cause disappointment, embarrassment, and even grief when they lose.

Fans often go through stages of grief like those experienced in other forms of loss: hope, disappointment, embarrassment, anger, and eventually, apathy.

Sports fandom can boost your health by fostering connections, improving mood, and getting you moving.

When you are stuck cheering for a team that loses often or just cannot get over the championship hump, whether it is for one game, one season, a decade or more, repeated cycles of grief can exact a toll on a fan’s mental health.

Intense reactions like crying, anger, frustration, and disappointment regarding a game loss are normal signs of acute grief. When those feelings are sustained for even a brief period and begin to affect your daily functioning and ability to work, eat, or sleep, it may be a sign of more serious depression.

Coping Strategies for Fans of Losing Teams

• Diversify Your Interests: Engage in other hobbies or activities that you enjoy.
• Connect with Supportive Communities: Join fan groups or communities where you can share your experiences and feelings.
• Maintain a Consistent Sleep Schedule: Getting a full 7-8 hours of restful, restorative sleep can benefit overall mood and anxiety.
• Practice Mindfulness and Stress Management: Techniques like mindfulness, meditation, and deep breathing can help manage stress.
• Set Realistic Expectations: Understand that every team goes through ups and downs. Setting realistic expectations can help mitigate disappointment and frustration.
• Focus on the Positive Aspects: Appreciate the aspects of sports that you enjoy, such as the excitement of the game, the skills of the players, and the camaraderie among fans.
• Limit Exposure: If you find that constant exposure to your team’s losses is affecting your mental health, it might be helpful to take a step back.
• Seek Professional Help: If you find that your emotional reactions are overwhelming or affecting your daily life, consider talking to a mental health professional. They can provide personalized strategies and support.

Your mental well-being is important. If you find that your team’s losses are taking a toll on your mental health, don’t hesitate to reach out for help. Take the first step towards better mental health today by contacting our experts at WMCHealth Physicians and Bon Secours Medical Group.

WMCHealth is one of New York State’s largest providers of mental health services, with experts situated around the Hudson Valley ready to provide support. Speak with a mental health professional who can offer personalized strategies and support.