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MICHELLE KEENAN empowers people and organisations to achieve optimal wellbeing by providing customised wellness coaching programmes tailored to their unique goals.
We all know that feeling – you walk into a room and immediately sense tension, even before anyone says a word. On the other side of the coin, you probably have people in your life who make you feel calmer and more grounded every time you hang out with them. Humans are wired to pick up on the moods, energy, and behaviours of the people around us. Psychologists call this emotional contagion, and it happens more often than we realise.
Through facial expressions, tone of voice, body language, and even nervous system
responses, we unconsciously “catch” emotions from others.
This can be especially noticeable in families and workplaces. One stressed, overwhelmed
person can unintentionally shift the mood of an entire household or team. Think about the
parent rushing around frantically in the morning, or the colleague who storms into a meeting already stressed. Before long, everyone else feels on edge, too.
The opposite is also true. Calmness spreads. Kindness ripples outwards. A person who
remains steady during stressful moments can help regulate the people around them. That
doesn’t mean pretending everything is perfect or never feeling stressed. It simply means
being aware of the impact we can have on others and learning to regulate ourselves so we can have a positive influence rather than a negative one.
Sitting in the car and taking a few deep breaths before walking through the door after work, pausing before reacting in frustration, or speaking calmly during stressful situations can help shift the energy around you. So can small moments of positivity, like genuine smiles, gratitude, humour, or checking in with someone who seems stressed.
Looking after your own wellbeing is where it starts. Sleep, boundaries, making time to move your body and taking some downtime, are not selfish. When we are calmer and more
regulated ourselves, we communicate better, are less reactive, and create a more positive
environment for the people around us.
So yes, stress is contagious, but so is calm. When you notice someone else’s high-stress
mood affecting you, pause and take a breath. Remember that you have the power to choose your response, and to shift things in a more positive direction, not only for yourself, but for everyone else around you, too.
