Our brains are hardwired to pick up on and spread others' emotions. Whether it's an angry taxi driver or a harried boss, just
seeing someone look stressed can make us feel anxious too. This is a real problem in open office plans, where you can see everyone's nonverbals, so it's important to find ways to deal with secondhand stress. Here are some things to try:
- Change your response. Instead of being frustrated at negative people, try to feel compassion or help that person become more positive.
- Create positive antibodies to neutralize negativity. If a stressed colleague grimaces at you, return it with a smile. Start a phone call with "It's great to talk to you" instead of "I'm so busy."
- Inoculate yourself. Before going into stressful environments, think of three things you're grateful for. Reminding yourself that things are going well can be a powerful buffer against stress.
Adapted from
“Make Yourself Immune to Secondhand Stress,” by Shawn Achor and Michelle Gielan.
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