Don’t “Catch” Your Colleagues’ Stress

December 6, 2018
Don’t “Catch” Your Colleagues’ Stress
If you work with someone who is constantly stressed out, you’re more likely to feel that way too. But there are ways to keep secondhand stress at bay. For starters, seek out the positive people in your office and spend time with them, even if it’s just to grab a quick coffee. Positive emotions can be just as infectious as negative ones. You can also stave off stress by being a role model for optimistic thinking. If an overwhelmed colleague constantly criticizes or shuts down ideas, counter those comments by pointing out what you find valuable in them. At the same time, don’t ignore or shun stressed-out colleagues — reach out to them and try to be helpful. You could ask if there’s anything you could do to move their project forward, for example. Being compassionate and action-oriented will also help you avoid “catching” their stress.

Adapted from “How to Cope with Secondhand Stress,” by Rebecca Knight