Are Emotions Contagious?
Understanding how easily emotions spread and impact us can be essential for deepening your somatic therapy work.
4 min read
Have you ever noticed how hanging out with a happy friend can instantly brighten your mood, or how sitting next to someone who’s stressed on the subway in Manhattan or Brooklyn can leave you feeling tense too? You’re not imagining it—emotions really are contagious. This idea, called emotional contagion, is about how we “pick up” feelings from the people around us. But how does it work, and why does it matter?
Emotional contagion starts with how we’re wired as humans. We’re built to connect with each other, and our brains play a big role in that. One key player is the mirror neuron system—these are brain cells that activate not just when we do something but also when we see someone else do it.
For example, as Downtown Somatic Therapy therapist David Charme notes, “if you’re walking on the street in Lower Manhattan on your way to see your therapist at Downtown Somatic Therapy and someone smiles at you, your mirror neurons light up like you’re smiling too.” This mirroring doesn’t just involve physical actions; it spills into emotions, allowing us to connect with and understand what others are feeling.
“If you’re walking on the street…and someone smiles at you, your mirror neurons light up like you’re smiling too.”
Then there’s the way we unconsciously pick up on nonverbal cues—things like facial expressions, tone of voice, and body language. Research shows we naturally mimic these cues, which can shift how we’re feeling. As David Charme notes, “ever laugh just because someone else is laughing? That’s emotional contagion in action.”
Emotional contagion can be a great thing when it leads to good feelings. Think about throwing your best friend a surprise birthday party—the excitement has a way of bouncing around, creating a felt sense of happiness that’s palpable. But it’s not so great when it goes in the opposite direction.
“Ever laugh just because someone else is laughing? That’s emotional contagion in action.”
Negative emotions can spread just as easily. As David Charme observes, “imagine how a colleague showing frustration during a meeting can quickly shift the energy in the room, or how being in a heated argument with a partner can leave you feeling tense and overwhelmed.”
Understanding emotional contagion can give you a leg up. Once you know how easily emotions spread, you can take steps to protect your own emotional space. David Charme notes, “if someone’s stress is weighing on you, try noticing it without absorbing it. Techniques like taking a few deep breaths or stepping outside for a moment and feeling the air against your skin or finding an object to focus your attention on can help reset your nervous system.”
“If someone’s stress is weighing on you, try noticing it without absorbing it. Techniques like taking a few deep breaths or stepping outside for a moment and feeling the air against your skin or finding an object to focus your attention on can help reset your nervous system.”
Somatic therapy approaches like AEDP can help you notice how emotions show up in your body and help you learn how to process them, rather than pushing them down or keeping them at bay. Somatic therapy can also give you practical tools to manage overwhelming emotional experiences, like body awareness and grounding techniques. As David Charme notes, “with time, you can learn to tune into subtle sensations, release stored tension, and find a sense of emotional calm during stressful moments.”
“With time, you can learn to tune into subtle sensations, release stored tension, and find a sense of emotional calm during stressful moments.”
Emotions are contagious, but with some awareness—and the right support—you can use that to your advantage. You can deepen your connections, feel more grounded, and stay in control of what you’re taking on.
If you often feel like a sponge for other people’s feelings and would like to learn to skillfully access and navigate your emotions, reach out to a therapist at Downtown Somatic Therapy.