March Madness Equals March Sadness

The game is tied, 31 seconds left on the clock, your point guard has possession of the ball, he lets the clock runs out and finds his teammate willing and ready to hit the game winning shot. Your team is in the Sweet 16, your throat is sore from screaming, your heart is virtually out of your chest and your dinner is fighting its way back down to your stomach. If you’re a fan of La Salle or Philadelphia sports in general, you most likely felt these emotions while watching the team play this past Sunday. Winning is an awesome feeling. The amount of pride and joy received from watching the team you root for win is almost indescribable.  

But what about losing? What about the guys and girls packing their bags to go back to their hometowns? What about the seniors who have played their last game? What about the fans? I know some may be apathetic towards the losers, but the reality is as a sports fan you have to get accustomed to losing, especially here in Philadelphia. Losing parallels winning in intensity. It is painful and disappointing. People often have a hard time dealing with the loss of games or competitions. Here are some tips to get through this process:

• Space is key. Whether you’re an athlete or a die hard fan, it is always important to take some space after a big loss in order to clear your head from the game.
  
  
• Accept the disappointment. Realize that it is fine to feel down. In the case of athletes, this is definitely an important skill because not acknowledging it doesn’t erase the feeling, just suppresses it for a later date.  
  
  
• Speak with like minded people. If you’re a fan, vent amongst other fans. If you’re an athlete, talk it over with your teammates. Speak with people who can identify with your feelings.
  
  
• Readjust your focus. Athletes need not dwell on what they did wrong but what they can do moving forward. During the off season, fans should focus on other things that makes them happy
  
  

Ill feelings towards a loss typically do not last too long, but if you notice that these feelings are interfering with your everyday activities it is time to seek professional help. If you are an athlete and preoccupied with a loss so much so that it prevents you from performing, professional help may be needed as well. The therapists here at Philadelphia MFT are more than capable of helping with these issues- do not hesitate to contact us. 

This topic of the week was written by Malyka Cardwell, MFT


*GO LA SALLE!*

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