Heres how to stop absorbing what others around you are feeling while still being an understanding fellow human being.
Its in our nature to empathize with others.
(Thats why babies cries can be so agonizing for us and their giggles so infectious.)
Empathy is what makes ussneeze or yawn when someone else doesand unconsciously mimic others body languageand facial expressions.
Our brainsare hardwired for it.
We dont just catch others yawns, though.
We catch their moods.
Secondhand stress (or anger, etc.)
So what can we do about it, short of ditching society to go live in a hermit hut?
Label What the Other Person Is Feeling
My husband sighs a lot.
), and sometimes apparently for no reason.
Each time he sighs, its like a trigger for me to instantly feel deflated and frustrated.
The act of labeling an emotiondistances you from itand gives you a moment topause your reaction to it.
Language becomes a barrier between the feeling and your thoughts and makes those feelings less overwhelming.
- Inoculate yourself
Inoculate yourself before going into work or stressful environments.
Also, spend more time with people who are truly positive and joyful.
Not that everything and everyone has to be (rah rah) everything is awesome!
all the time, but being around uplifting people will recharge your negativity-fighting batteries.
Turn Your Empathy into Compassion
Finally, work on transforming your empathy into compassion.
You dont have to meditate to stop other peoples emotions from rubbing off on you.
Illustration by Sam Woolley.
