Stress is contagious. Simply being around someone who’s stressed and tangled up in their emotions can make it difficult for you to stay calm. Just like a sponge absorbs water, you can absorb the emotions, good or bad, of others around you.
Does this sound familiar? You try hard to stay calm while your parents are constantly worried about the ongoing Covid-19 crisis. Soon enough, you find yourself in a similar state of mind—your emotions go for a toss, and just like that, your days are filled with anxiety and stress. This happens because stress is a form of emotional contagion that can spread among members in a group quickly—and have a lingering effect that can last for hours, and even days.
“We naturally catch other people’s emotions unconsciously, just like we might catch a cold,” says Laurie Santos, Ph.D. and cognitive scientist and professor of psychology at Yale University. “We are much more affected by the people around us than we might think, in terms of behaviours and habits.”
In fact, there is evidence to prove that simply observing someone who is under a lot of stress can increase your level of cortisol, the stress hormone.
Most of us have to deal with stress as an omnipresent force. And though it’s difficult to maintain your calm when others around you are stressed, there are several ways you can fight back. Here are a few.
Exercise regularly
An excellent way to stay calm and stress-free is to exercise. Doing a few rounds of push-ups, running on a treadmill and power-punching are great ways to vent your emotions if you’ve had a rough day. Even a simple walking back and forth in your apartment can help you clear your mind and reduce stress. When you indulge in physical activities, your body releases endorphin, the ‘feel good’ chemical that is responsible for lifting your mood.
Remove yourself from the stressful environment
Sometimes, it’s important to remove yourself from a stressful environment. And to do so, it is necessary to identify the sources of stress in your life. Is it caused by talking to certain individuals or by being in a particular environment? Figure out what or who stresses you out and detach yourself from the source. The idea is to remove yourself from the environment that can increase your stress. So, the next time you find yourself caught in a stressful situation, excuse yourself and walk away to get your emotions in order.
Being around someone who is stressed can increase your own stress levels and affect your emotional state.
Regular exercise is an effective way to reduce stress and promote calmness. Engaging in exercise allows you to channel your emotions and release tension.
Removing yourself from a stressful environment is necessary to protect your own well-being. By distancing yourself from the source of stress, you can regain control of your emotions and find a calmer state of mind.
Focusing on happy memories can significantly improve mental well-being, particularly during stressful situations.
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