Before delving deeply into the significant topic of stress contagion, it is essential first to understand the fundamental concept of stress in contemporary life. The term “stress” is frequently used in today’s context, yet it is not merely an ordinary issue. Therefore, it is crucial to clarify what stress truly entails. In modern life, stress can be defined as any alteration that induces physical, emotional, or mental strain. It represents the body’s response to stimuli that demand attention or action.
As WHO defines it, “Stress can be defined as a state of worry or mental tension caused by a difficult situation. Stress is a natural human response that prompts us to address challenges and threats in our lives. Everyone experiences stress to some degree. The way we respond to stress, however, makes a big difference to our overall well-being.”[1]
So, this was the authentic definition of what stress looks like. Now let us see what stress contagion is by taking a classic example from our daily lives.
Imagine you’re at home enjoying a beautiful evening glance, with a cup of tea in one hand and a novel in the other. Your atmosphere seems calm, and you’re feeling relaxed. Suddenly, you notice a family member, perhaps your sibling or parent, visibly stressed about an upcoming event. This event could be a significant family gathering where they have to host many relatives, or it might be a critical doctor’s appointment that has been causing them worry for days. You observe them pacing back and forth in the living room, their footsteps quick and restless. They keep glancing at the clock as if time is slipping away too fast. Their face is tense, and they occasionally mutter to themselves, rehearsing what they might say or do. Their tone of voice is hurried and slightly panicked, breaking the tranquillity of the evening. As you watch them, you start to feel a shift in your mood. The calmness you felt just moments ago begins to disappear. Your heart rate picks up slightly, and a sense of unease starts to creep in. You weren’t initially worried about the event, but now, their stress seems to be affecting you too. You find yourself thinking about the potential challenges of the event, imagining scenarios that could go wrong, and feeling a bit anxious about the outcome.
The stress your family member is experiencing is spreading to you, even though you are not directly involved in the stressful situation. This is a classic example of stress contagion.
Why this phenomenon occurs?
There are several reasons why the phenomenon of stress contagion may be observed. The primary factors include mirror neurons, genetic predispositions, neuroendocrine mechanisms, and evolutionary perspective.
So, let’s try to understand each of these reasons individually.
1. Function of mirror neurons
Mirror neurons are special kinds of neurons that get activated, or say, fire, both when we act and also when we see others performing the same action. This imitating nature of these special brain cells is found to be responsible for the transfer of stress from one person to another. In the early 1990s, a group of Italian researchers distinguished particular neurons in the brains of macaque monkeys that enacted both when they watched and executed activity. This discovery marked the first identification of what we now call mirror neurons. In macaque monkeys, mirror neurons were first identified in the premotor cortex, specifically in area F5. And now in humans, these neurons can be found in several areas of the brain, i.e. the premotor cortex, the inferior parietal lobule, and the regions involved in action planning and execution.[2]
For instance, when a person watches another individual grasp an object, a specific subset of the observer’s mirror neurons that are responsible for coding that particular action become activated. This activation essentially creates a neural simulation of the observed action within the observer’s brain, as if they were acting themselves.
2. Genetic Predisposition
Genetic predisposition includes several aspects and alterations which may make people more susceptible to stress contagion.
- The glucocorticoid receptor gene (NR3C1) and the serotonin transporter gene (SLC6A4) are some specific kinds of gene variations that can make a person’s stress system more reactive. This increased reactivity can lead to higher sensitivity to stress and greater vulnerability to stress contagion.
- Another gene i.e. the oxytocin receptor gene plays a crucial part in how people understand social signals and emotions. Some variations in this gene can make individuals more empathetic and better at recognizing others’ emotional states, including stress.
3. Neuroendocrine Mechanism[3]
Neuroendocrine mechanisms can be classified into hormones and neurotransmitters. The neuroendocrine system shows the connections between the nervous system and the endocrine system. Both hormones and neurotransmitters play a role in this system.
- Hormones
- Both cortisol and adrenaline (released by the adrenal glands) play a major role in maintaining the physiological responses of the body.
- Cortisol helps control metabolism, the immune system, and blood pressure. It gets the body ready for “fight or flight” by raising blood sugar and improving brain function. Adrenaline increases heart rate, blood pressure, and energy, making you more alert and ready for action.
- Seeing someone else in a stressful situation can make the observer’s body release stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. This can cause the observer to feel similar physical and emotional stress.
- Neurotransmitters
- Apart from the hormones, Serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine are some of the neurotransmitters that play pivotal roles in regulating mood, emotional responses, and stress response.
- Low serotonin levels can increase anxiety and susceptibility to stress, while variations in dopamine and raised levels of norepinephrine can heighten the anxiety and intensify the stress responses, ultimately making individuals more susceptible to stress contagion when observing others in distress.
- Evolutionary perspective
- Looking at stress contagion from an evolutionary perspective, we see it as an important adaptive measure. This means that in early societies when humans faced threats or dangers in their environment, the process of stress contagion could help detect those dangers.
- By seeing others in distress, humans could become alert themselves and trigger a fight-or-flight response. Seeing others in distress made humans alert and triggered a fight-or-flight response. This response ensured quick and coordinated reactions to potential threats.
The Outcome of Stress Contagion
As observed in our study, the transfer of stress from one individual to another within ancient societies was essential for adaptation and survival. However, in the contemporary stressful environment, this transfer of stress presents numerous disadvantages. These disadvantages manifest us not only physically but also mentally and socially. Let us examine these disadvantages one by one:
1. Physiological Effects
As we discussed earlier, when stress is transferred from one individual to another, it can lead to an increased level of cortisol in the observer. This increase in cortisol can contribute to a range of health issues, such as higher heart rates, cardiovascular diseases, digestive problems, sleep disorders, and metabolic imbalances.
2. Psychological Effects
When considering the psychological effects of stress contagion, it can lead to heightened anxiety and burnout as individuals become aware of stressful situations. Observing stress in others can diminish emotional regulation and resilience.
3. Social effects
When stress spreads within social circles, it can lead to higher levels of anxiety and tension among group members. This continuous exposure to stress not only strains relationships but also diminishes the quality of social support.
As individuals become more anxious and tense, their interactions may become more strained, leading to conflicts and misunderstandings, and over time, this can result in a weakened support network.
Measures of Prevention
To wrap up our discussion, let us now see some effective strategies for preventing stress contagion.:
- By promoting self-awareness, one can identify when they are feeling stressed and can manage their emotions which may be affecting those around them. This practice of self-awareness can be proven effective and can help in lowering the possibility of transmitting stress to others.
- Talking openly is a great way to create a caring and supportive environment. When you openly discuss your stressful situations with your loved ones, they are more likely to understand and show compassion rather than fearing or absorbing your stress. This understanding can lead to meaningful support and assistance.
- Another method to prevent yourself from absorbing others’ stress is by creating healthy distinctions between your emotions and those of others. This technique helps you maintain a mental divide between your feelings and the feelings of others, allowing you to shield yourself from their negative emotions, such as stress.
In conclusion, understanding stress contagion and its underlying mechanisms is crucial for fostering healthier environments, both personally and professionally. By recognizing the signs of stress contagion and implementing preventive strategies, we can mitigate its impact and promote well-being.
“So, the next time you see someone getting stressed around you, choose to breathe deeply and stay calm in the situation. This will help you and others be happy and healthy”.
References
- WHO Q&A on Stress – https://www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/stress
- Sebanz, N. and Knoblich, . Günther (2014, May 28). mirror neuron. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/science/mirror-neuron
- Peen, N. F., Duque-Wilckens, N., & Trainor, B. C. (2021). Convergent neuroendocrine mechanisms of social buffering and stress contagion. Hormones and behavior, 129, 104933. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yhbeh.2021.104933
Author
