#@$! that: Cooling off after a loss

Face it: losing sucks. Whether it be in an individual situation or as a team, that dreaded feeling of inferiority and hopelessness that sets in after a crushing defeat is something that is hard to replicate any other way.

Losing in LoL, like many other multiplayer, team-based videogames, comes in many forms. You could lose your lane and get flak from your teammates as you give up first blood. As a jungler, you can mistime a creep respawn or execute a bad lane gank, leading to stolen buffs or an enemy AD carry double-kill. The list of possible losses in-game can go on and on, and each little gain for the enemy team means less of an advantage for yours. And if there are too many, you lose the match, along with the respective decrease in your ELO and morale. Even with the little mercy IP rewarded, it's not much of a consolation. You'll just have to go onto the next one trying to win.

I have to win the next one, right? *deep breaths*

Of course there are numerous factors, both legitimate and not-so-legitimate, you can point to as factors in your loss. That is a whole other list, and one I'm not going to delve into. Everyone has their own standards, but if you've hit a rough patch and things just don't seem to be looking up, here's four general tips you can use to settle down and (hopefully), get over that losing hump:

-Control the anger. We've seen Starcraft players smash headsets, WoW players scream profanities, and Counter-Strike players express their frustration. While there haven't been any notable outbursts of anger in the professional LoL scene to document as of yet, the tribunal would gladly point out a number of LoL players all too happy to chew out anyone that they deem “bad” or a “noob”. If you're feeling angry and need to punch/throw/holler at something, keep a pillow nearby or close your door. Better to get it out of your system in the privacy of your home/computer than directed at another person.

-Take a mental break. Sometimes, all it takes is an emotional step away from the game for a bit. Watching streams or reviewing replays isn't a break; nor is playing an ARAM or stalking professional LoL teams. it's still related to the game and may only further your frustration next time you jump into queue. Go play another game for awhile, browse Youtube or listen to music. You'd be surprised what even a little time away from LoL will do for your motivation and for your playing.

-Take a physical break. Yes, like get up, turn off your computer and leave. Physical exercise has constantly been linked to stronger mental performance and emotional stability, and the same holds true for LoL. There's a reason why professional gaming teams often incorporate some sort of exercise regime into their training schedules. Going out with friends, playing sports, grabbing something to eat/drink or even just knocking out daily responsibilities away from the presence of a computer will allow you to cool down and relax. Heck, take a nap. Sleep is positively associated with better overall performance, and a quick 1-hour snooze is a refreshing head-clearing activity for anyone.

-After all this, then come back. Review the replays, watch the streams, practice last hitting against bots. You need a fresh start, and something that will boost your morale and confidence, two large factors associated with stress and anger. By easing yourself into this mindset, you'll feel more prepared going into games, and decisions should be much more instinctive than simply reactive. If you're looking for further methods for getting over the losing streak once you come back, my fellow blogger sn0wfall has a nice piece written up on how to best improve and get back into the swing of things.

While these tips are quite general and apply across gaming-genres, hopefully when you log back into LoL and venture out onto Summoner's Rift, you'll bit just a bit calmer and able to lead your team to victory!

Win of the day...it's rough stuff for ELO.