Being infected by someone else's bad emotions can infect others

Emotions can indeed infect others, which is a normal phenomenon in human psychological activity. Emotional contagion is mainly transmitted through nonverbal signals such as facial expressions, language tone, and body movements, and is common in intimate relationships or group interactions. When a person is in a state of anger, anxiety, or sadness, the tension of their facial muscles is unconsciously imitated by those around them. This physiological level of imitation activates the corresponding emotional neural circuits in the brain, causing the receiver to experience similar emotions. The infectious power of language tone is more direct, with high tones easily causing tension, while low tones may convey suppressed emotions. In the workplace environment, negative emotions of leaders often affect the working atmosphere of the entire team, and this top-down emotional transmission has a clear hierarchical effect.

Certain special situations can exacerbate the intensity of emotional contagion. Individuals with strong empathy are more likely to absorb the emotions of others, and they are usually more sensitive to subtle changes in facial expressions. Emotions spread faster in enclosed spaces, such as elevators, conference rooms, and other places. People who have been around depressed patients for a long time may experience persistent low mood, which requires actively establishing psychological boundaries. Emotional contagion is more prominent in specific cultural contexts, while collectivist culture emphasizes emotional consistency. Developing emotional awareness is an effective method to block the transmission of negative emotions. When perceiving negative emotions from others, deep breathing can regulate the autonomic nervous system. Maintaining an appropriate physical distance can reduce the reception intensity of emotional signals. Regular mindfulness practice can help improve emotional management skills. When it is necessary to come into contact with negative emotional sources, cognitive reappraisal can be attempted to understand emotional contagion as a normal psychological phenomenon rather than a threat. If you are emotionally troubled by others for a long time, it is recommended to seek professional psychological counseling help.