Contagion, It’s Coming For You

Seems like everyone in my house is coming down with something. The flu, colds, headaches, a case of the Mondays. Winter is notorious for contagions, and as we are continually dumped upon by the best of the seasons illness repertoire we are likely thinking more often than not, “Ugh, I hope I don’t catch that.” Interestingly, disease is not the only thing that is contagious.

Stress

Merely seeing an anxious person can increase our cortisol (a stress hormone). We may even have a reaction to someone’s ‘stress sweat’ (even if we can’t smell it). This is very much like the times you ask a group of nervous people, “Is it getting hot in here or is it just me?”

Fear

Another sweaty issue. When we smell sweat from a scared individual we may actually also feel fear (even if there are no facts to support this arousal).

Disgust

We detect pheromones from others. When we pick up on their disgust we are more likely to “sniff” less. We may hold our breath, gently avoid the vicinity in which someone is standing, or flat out walk away.

Negative Thought Patterns

Cognitive distortions happen for everyone. Amusingly, they can also be transmitted to others. Think of how quickly some of your coworkers become the WORST after a lunch filled with venting with close work friends. Our outlook can be especially swayed by those we are close to.

But it’s not all bad news! There are a couple of great things we can catch from the contagion community too.

Goals

“I dont really want to try. I think I will pass. Oh wait, Bobby Smith is going for the promotion? I think I might have a shot at that too!” When we are involved with knowing that the goals and desires of others align with our own we are much more likely to work toward achievement and attaining.

Joy

People can actually “catch” one another’s happiness just by watching. If you watch a mother at a playground watch her baby and find yourself smiling or see your own kids laughing at a movie or see a grandfather watching his smiling daughter smiling at her smiling child smiling at a ball…you get what I mean? Joy is one of the most subtly and quickly transmitted emotions. The impact of just knowing this could be huge (I’m smiling right now feeling joy, can you feel it?)

We are walking around susceptible to more than just a runny nose. We are also carriers and recipients of spreadable ideas, thoughts, feelings and attitudes. As we approach each day take a moment and check in with yourself to assess what you are likely to catch and sometimes more importantly what you are likely to spread to others.

Written by Emily Carlson, MA

Photo credit: pexels.com