While you may avoid second-hand smoke and wash your hands to keep germs at bay, what are you doing to prevent the spread of stress?
In the same way that germs are contagious, so too is stress. Second-hand stress is the negative result of exposure to another person's stressful situation. The more prolonged and excessive this exposure is, the worse the outcome will be. Numerous studies and researchers have suggested that we soak up other people's emotions like a sponge and adopt their anxieties. Read on to find out how stress is passed on and how to protect yourself from catching it.
What the Studies Say about Second-hand Stress
One such study, published in November 2011, purported that stress is as contagious as the common cold. It even suggested that you can catch anxiety from those around you.
Psychologist Professor Elaine Hatfiel, who led the study, coined the term 'emotional contagion' to explain the response. Apparently, we mirror stress in others as a way to identify and emphasise with them. Brain specialists attribute this ability to mirror neurons in the brain, a type of brain cell that compels you to adapt your actions based on what you observe in another person. By doing so, we often take on their body language such as hunching our shoulders or scowling.
Women are apparently more at risk since they tend to be more in tune with the feelings of others.
Second-hand stress is most prevalent in the workplace, as it tends to be a prime location for high stress levels due to a heavy workload or an unclear job role. No doubt the recent economic uncertainties have further fuelled anxiety in workplaces around the world.
Signs of Second-hand Stress
Whether they're suffering from work-related stress or the negative emotions surrounding a friend's personal life, people with second-hand stress might feel sad, helpless or overwhelmed at times. This condition not only affects personal relationships and job performance but it can also potentially lead to mental health conditions. Other signs include:
- Excessive irritability due to fatigue and worry
- Anxiety disorders
- Mental exhaustion
- Lack of concentration
- Feeling jumpy when you hear sirens, car alarms or an unexpected noise
- Trouble controlling your temper
- Feeling overwhelmed or pessimistic about the future
Risks Factors for Emotional Contagion
Second-hand stress occurs when people experience the stress of others who depend on them for support. It's like a one-way mirror, where the person being relied on becomes at risk of stress contagion when they lend an ear or a hand to another. It is common among caregivers, spouses or adult children of people suffering from chronic illnesses or post-traumatic stress disorder.
Source: Health Journal
They can experience mild to severe stress as a result of physical exhaustion from their overwhelming responsibilities to those they are caring for. These individuals may also face second-hand grief, depression or anxiety.
What second-hand stress sufferers need to know about emotional contagion is that it can have serious effects on both their mental and physical health if left untreated. They are also at risk of developing feelings of anger, resentment or alienation toward the person they are caring for or supporting, which could eventually lead to depression.
How to Steer Clear of Second-hand Stress
So now that we know stress is contagious, what can we do to avoid it? Psychiatrist Dr Andrew Parker says that we can build up our resistance to stress the same way we can boost our immunity to colds and flu. It's important to maintain a healthy balance between caring for others and yourself. Remember that second-hand stress is not your fault; it just means that you are supporting someone who needs your help after a traumatic event, the death of a loved one, or a serious medical diagnosis, among other reasons that may possibly trigger acute stress.
There are several things you can do to reduce the impact of second-hand stress, which include:
- Avoid taking on other people's stress. Acknowledge the stressful events they are in but step away and understand that it doesn't have to be your stress.
- Try to distance yourself from people who simply want to vent their frustrations without changing their situation.
- Tell the offender that their stress affects you and then offer to help, if you know it won't cause you anxiety.
- Be positive! Positivity is just as contagious as stress, so maintain a positive mindset even when engaging in a negative discussion to boost everyone's morale.
- Ask for help if you're not coping, to keep your stress from spreading.
- Take time out if you work in a stressful environment. Get a massage, go for a walk or sit quietly with a cup of tea.
Additionally, meditation, yoga and counselling may be helpful in managing second-hand stress since these practices can help you develop positive emotions. If all else fails, joining a support group in your area that offers different types of assistance is a great way to cope with the effects of stress passed on to you by someone else.
Originally published on Oct 11, 2012
