Stop Absorbing Everyone Else's Anxiety

Get a free gift from Dr. Rutstein, visit drjeffreyrutstein.com/links Want to leave a question? Call 866-357-5156 In this episode of Wired for Well-Being, we explore how dysregulation is contagious and why you absorb everyone else's anxiety without even realizing it. If you've ever walked into a room feeling fine only to suddenly feel anxious, drained around certain people, or overwhelmed by someone else's anger, this episode explains the nervous system science behind collective dysregulation and how to protect your regulation when chaos surrounds you. Through exploring how the collective nervous system operates—including why your nervous system picks up on everyone else's emotional states, how news cycles and social media create mass dysregulation, and why distinguishing between your anxiety and absorbed anxiety is a critical skill—Jeffrey reveals how to stop being pulled into other people's nervous system storms. This isn't about isolating yourself or shutting down emotionally. It's about understanding nervous system contagion, learning to recognize when dysregulation isn't yours, and discovering how becoming a frequency holder for regulation can actually calm the people around you instead of absorbing their chaos. Have a question for Jeffrey? Leave a voicemail at 866-357-5156. If you can't reach that number, record a voice memo or email [email protected]. The content in this podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended as professional mental health advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for medical or mental health concerns.