Mirror Neurons?
Mirror Neurons, the basis for copying Speech & Stress ?
If you stick out your tongue to a baby, chances are that the baby will imitate you spontaneously. Or watch how often a yawning adult makes someone else yawning as well.
Researchers working with monkeys, in the 90’s, identified a group of neurons in their frontal cortex that were not only activated in monkeys who made a particular motion with their hand or mouth, but also in monkeys who were just watching other monkeys perform it. Hence the name ‘mirror neurons’.
In humans, these neurons appear to also inform us about the intentions and emotional expressions of others. Such neural circuits appear to be important for experiencing empathy. However, reinstating other\’s emotions can be a serious mood-killer if they are stressed and anxious.
The dangers of secondhand stress and its contagious nature have long been considered obstacles to workplace productivity and general health and well-being. How can someone’s bad day hijack another’s brain? Their Sweat?!
Stress leads to perspiration, which leads to the release of chemical secretions that unconsciously impact brain activity and behavior when inhaled by others. Scans showed that a mere whiff of stress-sweat activates the brain’s amygdala.
This part is also activated, when we perceive someone as a threat. Thus, unlike physical exercise-sweat, inhaling other’s stress-sweat causes our brain to perceive and treat them as a potential threat, even if they seem totally harmless.
In order for ourselves to be perceived positively, we need to be as stress-free as possible. Besides physical exercise, acts of empathy, kindness, and patience for others, meditation, or applying our practices will relax you the most.
