Is stress contagious? Science says yes - How to avoid it

Stress - the umbrella term for negative emotions like anxiety, anxiety and anger - is contagious. You can have stress if others have.

How it spreads

As part of his research on stress and behavior, Tony Buchanan, co-director of the Neuroscience Program at Saint Louis University in Missouri, has collected data from thousands of people on a task called the Trier Social Stress Test.

During each test, college students are instructed to stand in front of a group of strangers and give a public speech, then are asked to calculate an arithmetic - in their head.

As a result, participants are confused, Buchanan says. They make mathematical mistakes. They forget the "right" words they want to use. And although for each experiment, his role is only that of an observer, Buchanan admits, "I started to feel bad myself."

The reaction is not an anomaly. As humans, we have always had a biological interest in seeing how others around us feel.

"We are social creatures and our survival, from an evolutionary point of view, depends very much on the ability to read others, whether they are friends or enemies," agreed Dr. Sue Varma, clinical assistant professor of psychiatry at NYU Langone Medical Center. "The intentions of others become known to us in different ways, especially through the way they express emotions and how they deal with stress."

Other people’s experiences or stresses can change us in a way that we do not fully understand.

Not all stress is bad. Remember that you are ensuring your "survival". There is a type of stress called eustress that keeps you accountable, helps you avoid procrastination and makes you more productive.

How to avoid stress caused by other people - several ways

1. Block negative thoughts.

2. Walk in the fresh air.

3. Talk to someone you trust.

4. Set boundaries.

5. Take a deep breath.

6. Think positively and only forward.

7. Write down your thoughts.

8. Meditate.

Sources: Health, Healthline