Secondhand stress is tension we experience due to other people’s behaviour. Emotions are contagious – just like the ‘flu, we can actually ‘catch’ and absorb what others are feeling. It’s a remarkable ability we have, as we are hardwired to empathise with those around us.
Connecting with others and caring for them is key to our survival, so it makes sense we can take on other people’s positive and negative feelings as well. ‘When those around us are feeling stressed, our instinct is to be alerted to this and to respond as if these are cues of danger,’ states Avy Joseph,).
