What is Contagious Anxiety?
Contagious anxiety, or social and emotional contagion, is a process wherein one person’s anxious emotions are transmitted and absorbed by another, facilitated by verbal and non-verbal cues like body language, facial expressions, and tone of voice. This exchange can easily lead to a shared sense of unease and stress.
We’ve all likely experienced both unintentionally passing on our anxiety and absorbing the anxiety of others. Imagine witnessing someone screaming while running down the street—the natural response is a surge of anxiety, driven by a biological instinct to understand potential threats. Similarly, being in close proximity to a co-worker overwhelmed and expressing fear of failure can affect our emotional state. Even within the family unit, we can absorb a child’s pre-test jitters or a spouse’s job-related irritability.
Individual and contagious anxiety share commonalities. Both are characterized by a sense of lack of control, feelings of helplessness and being overwhelmed, and can be accompanied by physical symptoms like heart palpitations, sweating and dizziness. The frustration inherent in anxiety, defined by the desire to control something beyond our grasp, becomes even more pronounced in the context of contagious anxiety, where the need for control extends to circumstances beyond our and others’ control.
Contagious anxiety isn’t confined to one-on-one social situations; it extends to broader influences like social media and news outlets. The way a person or source discusses a subject can significantly impact our perception. For instance, our response to anticipated bad weather might shift if a news channel uses alarmist language, describing it as an “unpredictable storm” and referencing past storms that resulted in death or destruction.
Preventing the Absorption of Contagious Anxiety
Managing our own stressors and personal anxieties is already demanding, so how do we shield ourselves from absorbing the anxieties of others or our environment?
- Cultivate Emotional Awareness: Develop an awareness of your emotional state and recognize when you might be influenced by the anxieties of others. This self-awareness is crucial for taking proactive steps to maintain your emotional well-being.
- Establish Boundaries: Set emotional boundaries to prevent the undue influence of others’ anxieties. It’s okay to empathize, but it’s equally important to maintain a sense of self and emotional autonomy.
- Mindful Media Consumption: Be mindful of the media you consume. Pay attention to the language used and how it may impact your perception. Limit exposure to sensationalized information and seek a balanced understanding of events.
- Practice Stress Management Techniques: Engage in stress management techniques like mindfulness, deep breathing, or physical exercise. These practices not only help manage your own stress but also create a buffer against absorbing contagious anxiety.
- Encourage Open Communication: Foster open communication in your social circles. Create an environment where people feel comfortable expressing their feelings, reducing the likelihood of suppressed anxieties being unconsciously absorbed.
- Choose Empathy Without Absorption: While empathy is valuable, it’s crucial to differentiate between understanding others’ emotions and absorbing them. Empathize without taking on the emotional burden of others.
- Seek Professional Support: If you find it challenging to prevent the absorption of contagious anxiety, consider seeking support from mental health professionals. They can provide guidance and coping strategies tailored to your individual needs.
In conclusion, understanding and preventing contagious anxiety involve a combination of self-awareness, healthy boundaries, and mindful practices. By implementing these strategies, we can navigate the emotional landscape more effectively, preserving our well-being in the face of external anxieties.
