Filed under: Health & wellbeing
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Are you surrounded by
stressed-out colleagues complaining about their jobs, or friends whining about their boyfriends? Then watch out, because their
stress and anxiety is as contagious as a common cold.
That's the theory of a leading professor of psychology, Dr Elaine Hatfield, from the University of Hawaii. 'All emotions - joy, fear, sadness and stress - have been shown to be contagious,' she told us. 'It's called "emotional contagion".
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The emotions of those around us really do rub off on us
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'In conversation, people automatically and continuously mimic and synchronize the behaviour of others with their facial expression, voices, posture and movements,' says Hatfield. Or, to put it another way, if you sit next to somebody who is constantly stressed and moaning about their job, then subconsciously you'll start to feel stressed about your job, too.
Hatfield has been studying the way the facial, vocal and postural activity of those around us (for example, the furrowed brows, whiney voices and hunched, stressed posture) are contagious. Her conclusion? 'We really can "catch" other people's emotions,' she says.
'This study doesn't surprise me at all,' says stress expert Professor Carey Cooper from Lancaster University. 'The emotions of those around us really do rub off on us.' Cooper points out that a shaky job climate and uncertain economy is making the problem worse: '
During a recession, jobs are at risk and money is tight - everybody around you becomes more stressed, and feelings of stress spread from one person to another like a cold.'
Professor Cooper recently worked on a national study involving 5,500 people looking at bullying in the workplace. 'Even those who weren't bullied were affected by it,' he says. 'People who witness bullying themselves feel anxious because they "catch" the stress and anxiety of those who are being bullied.'
So, could you be at risk of 'catching' stress? Professor Hatfield thinks women are more prone to catching stress than men because they're more in tune with the feelings of others. As are sensitive people: 'Hardier people can be oblivious to the emotional climate,' she explains. 'These types of people can often be more or less oblivious about a stressful situation. Sensitive types, on the other hand, are more susceptible to emotional contagion because they're wonderful at understanding and dealing with others. However, after a while they can get tired and stressed themselves.'
So, here's how to stress-proof yourself:
1) Look after yourself. 'It won't change your work or family situation, but if you exercise regularly, get enough sleep and eat a healthy balanced diet, you'll be in a better state of mind to deal with any situation,' says Cooper. He also advises limiting alcohol and coffee, both of which can lower energy levels if drunk excessively.
2) 'Either change your situation or change how you think about the situation,' advises Dr James Gross, a psychologist from Stanford University. 'For example, you could make an effort to spend less time with work colleagues who are especially anxious and more time with positive people. Or you could change the way you think about them - for example, you could think "Sally seems worried, but then again, Sally always seems worried" rather than worrying with her.'
3) Take a break. 'If stressful encounters are inevitable, take a break afterwards,' advises Gross. 'Go and get a drink or go for a walk.'
4) 'If your workplace is stressful, think about speaking to your line manager if the problem gets worse,' says Professor Cooper. 'And avoid spending time with stressed colleagues at lunchtime or in the pub after work - you'll spend the whole evening talking about work and feel even more stressed. Have a break from that.'
5) Be honest. 'If you have a friend - or family member - who constantly complains about a situation, be honest with them,' says Professor Cooper. 'Say politely, "Can we talk about something else? I find it draining to keep talking about the same thing over and over again." Or offer them some advice. If they don't take it, tell them you can't really help them and would rather talk about something else.'
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