Australian researchers have shown that stress can “flow” from one person to other members of a group, amplifying overall emotional tension. In field data on work teams, the effect was explained by emotional contagion — the tendency to pick up on others’ feelings and tone. At the team level, such contagion altered the link between individual work stress and employee well-being: in “infected” teams, health and mood declined more strongly (Edith Cowan University, 2024).
How It Works: From Biology to Everyday Life
Watching — and Joining In
Laboratory experiments confirm that simply observing another person go through a stress test is enough for the observer’s stress markers (including cortisol) to rise — even if it is a video rather than direct contact. The effect is stronger when people are emotionally close, but it is also noticeable among strangers (Engert et al., 2014).
Why We “Catch” Feelings
A review of emotional contagion describes several channels: facial expressions and tone of voice, attention to threats, and interpretation (“what does this mean for me”). Susceptibility to contagion is a relatively stable trait, which makes some people more likely to “absorb” others’ stress (Herrando & Constantinides, 2021).
Where It Is Most Noticeable
Families, Classrooms, Offices, and Healthcare
Everyday chains are easy to imagine: a worried leader — an anxious team; an anxious parent — a tense teenager; an overloaded shift — exhausted colleagues. In healthcare, the combination of emotionally intense work and scarce resources makes staff vulnerable to “chain reactions” of stress and burnout (Monash University).
What Helps: Individual and Group Strategies
Individual Level
- Notice “contagion triggers.” Make a list of situations/people after which you feel drained or irritated; plan a short recovery (a walk, water, breathing at 4–6 cycles per minute).
- Reduce self-focus. A quick reframe (“I’m feeling someone else’s stress — this is not the whole reality”), shifting attention to a specific task.
- Assertive boundaries. Use “I-statements” and reasonable limits on time and communication channels.
Team Level
- Reset rituals. Begin meetings with a quick check-in, end with a list of concrete steps; this turns emotions into action.
- Transparent workload. Visible task queues, time-boxing, rotation of “on-call” roles for urgent issues.
- Leaders set the tone. Speech tempo, pauses, acknowledging uncertainty and mistakes — all of this lowers the group’s “temperature.”
Important to Remember
“Stress contagion” is not a reason to look for someone to blame. It is a mechanism that can be softened with awareness, boundaries, and better work organization. If anxiety, insomnia, or irritability persist for weeks, it is a signal to seek professional help.
Disclaimer: This material is for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for consultation with a doctor or psychologist. If you experience persistent worsening of your condition, thoughts of self-harm, or any risk to your safety, please seek help from a qualified professional and emergency services.