If this forgettable mishap happened in the digital realm, it may have been broadcast in the Cringetopia subreddit. As the name suggests, it’s an online group that immortalizes people’s embarrassing situations. We’ve collected some of the posts that stood out. These may amplify feelings of secondhand shame or induce a headshake of disappointment. Scroll through and see which resonates with you the most. “That’s the concept of empathy,” she said in an interview with the Cleveland Clinic. “Our brains are wired to be able to simulate the emotional experiences of other people and feel what another person is feeling.” “A lot of times, these feelings can come with anxiety and a fear of negative social evaluation. Anxiety can be distressing and may get in the way of whatever you’re doing in the moment.” “Witnessing someone else experiencing embarrassment could increase anxious thoughts about whether a similar experience could happen to you and activate your body’s stress response.” “When we experience emotions that are uncomfortable, we often think they are ‘bad,’ and that makes us even more anxious as we try to get rid of it, increasing distress,” she explained. “It can help to have a more mindful approach by acknowledging how we are feeling in the moment without judgment and allowing the emotion to pass.” This simple method involves four steps: stop what you’re doing, take a breath, observe what’s happening to your body, and proceed mindfully. “When we go down a rabbit hole with our thoughts and emotions, it can all end up being amplified. This STOP technique helps you move in a more helpful direction by pausing for a minute to stop whatever stream of thought you’re having.” “It could be that they are on the other end of the spectrum genetically, or their environment didn’t develop their empathy in childhood much, but it could also be that they have learned how to have boundaries with their sense of self,” Hartley told Refinery29. Follow Bored Panda on Google News! Follow us on Flipboard.com/@boredpanda! Please use high-res photos without watermarks Ooops! Your image is too large, maximum file size is 8 MB.
