We have all, at some point, felt stressed. However, apart from experiencing its effects, very little is actually known about stress. For example, we usually think that since it is a mental problem, it is not contagious. We usually associate the term contagious with other diseases. However, stress is as contagious as germs. There is no doubt about that.
The problem is that stress is perceived and this, in turn, is stressful for us. Surely on some occasion you have entered an environment where you felt uncomfortable because you could perceive large doses of stress in the air. Perhaps when you entered you felt full of energy and with many ideas but probably after a few hours, you began to feel tired, tense, irritable, with a dull mind.
Well, this is a way of transmitting stress. It is very difficult to work eight hours in an environment where everyone is shouting, nervous and hostile without catching at least a little of these negative emotions. An environment where there are many stressed people transmits stress. In fact, it is no coincidence that large companies like Google or Apple care so much about creating healthy and relaxing work environments. They know that a stressful work environment not only kills creativity but little by little exhausts all its members and, sooner or later, this will have dire consequences on their productivity.
Of course, stress is not only transmitted from spaces where many stressed people coexist but also from person to person. To understand this process, just think about those people we know who make us walk on “eggshells.” I am referring to people who are always anxious, irritable, negative and frustrated. Those people who make us feel inadequate because we know that, no matter what we say, our words are very likely to be misinterpreted. These are people who continually live in a state of tension, stress and frustration and who continually project these emotions onto others.
Managers or people who have a certain authority are other entities that usually spread stress. They do this by assigning tasks that are practically impossible to perform, either because the demands exceed our capabilities or because the time we have at our disposal is too short. Worst of all, these people not only delegate activities but also get rid of the stress and responsibility that come with them.
Not everything is lost
Of course, the fact that stress can be perceived, that there are people who strain our resources, or that there are particularly stressful environments, does not necessarily mean that we should be stressed.
For example, if everyone at home has the flu, we will be more exposed to contracting it, but that does not mean that it is an absolute rule. If we take some precautionary measures and have a strong immune system, there are chances of coming out unscathed. The same applies to stress.
There are some ways to deal with particularly stressful people or situations:
– Create a relaxing work environment that becomes an escape valve for the stress in the environment. Place plants, put on headphones with relaxing music, eliminate all possible distractions… In short, everything that makes you feel comfortable and relaxed.
– Learn to say “no”. There are tasks that simply cannot be done because they have impossible deadlines or demands. In this case, it is better to negotiate the demands of the activity to make them less stressful.
– Learn to handle stressed people and not play their game. Don’t respond with irritation because this only creates more stress. If you behave in a kind and patient way, you will see how the other person’s attitude changes.
– Do relaxing activities such as walking outdoors, spending time with friends, watching a good film or reading a book, taking up a hobby, practicing yoga… These activities will help you release the stress accumulated during the day.
