Second Hand Stress: Getting sick from your workplace (and what you can do about it)

Did you know that stress can literally be transmitted through the air? And that you can develop burnout symptoms this way, even when your own workload is perfectly manageable?

As a health enthusiast who trained as a nurse on the ICU 25 years ago, I discovered this phenomenon the hard way. I thought my running sessions, balanced diet and meditation practice made me invulnerable. Well, the universe had other plans.

Why does this happen? Studies revealed that stress has a chemical fingerprint transmitted through the air – the scientific term is chemosensory stress transfer. People under stress secrete chemical substances through their sweat glands that others perceive unconsciously, triggering similar stress responses. In environments like the ICU, with colleagues working under constant pressure in close proximity, there is a perfect storm for Second Hand Stress.

The solution came from an unexpected direction. Research shows that scents bypass the thalamus and go directly to the limbic system – our emotional brain. Certain essential oils calm the autonomic nervous system and can interrupt chemical stress signals in the air. Strategic diffuser placement creates a completely different chemical environment.

Practical implementation: Lemon and Rosemary for meeting rooms and brainstorming. Bergamot and cedarwood for open workspaces. Vetiver and Lavender for break areas. Orange and Vanilla blend for reception areas.

The results from workplaces implementing this strategy are promising. Second Hand Stress goes from invisible saboteur to a recognized phenomenon we can address effectively with natural, pleasant and accessible solutions.