You’ve known about the dangers of secondhand smoke for years; if you’re in a smoky room, you might as well be smoking yourself, since you’re inhaling the same toxic fumes as the smokers around you. But did you know that secondhand stress works the same way? Being around people who are stressed out can affect your mood and easily make you stressed out too.

One of the best examples of how you can catch second hand stress is airline travel. Being at the mercy of someone else’s sense of urgency combined with unrefined processes and systems can make even the most mindful person feel anxious.

It starts in the TSA line, when the pace is moving like molasses and everyone starts to worry about missing their flight. It continues at security with the repetitive shouting, “REMOVE YOUR SHOES, EMPTY YOUR POCKETS, REMOVE YOUR JACKET, NO SMALL BABIES ON THE CONVEYOR BELT.” (Something along those lines, anyway.) After you hurry, hurry, hurry, you wait to push your belongings into the machine, you wait to go through the body scan, and you wait some more while TSA employees select people for additional screening.

Once you’re in the jet way, the same thing happens on every flight: the line backs up and the flight attendant rattles off the too familiar:  “We are scheduled for an ON-TIME departure. To leave on time, KEEP MOVING.  THE OVERHEAD BINS ARE FOR LARGE ITEMS AND CARRY ON BAGS ONLY.  STEP INSIDE YOUR SEAT AND LET OTHERS GO BY.”  (Just try putting your bag in the overhead while standing in your seat.)  In cases like this, other people’s issues and their stress becomes your problem (second hand stress).

But only if you let it.

With second hand stress, we have a choice not to participate. None of the airport and airline staff systems are new issues; they simply don’t have great control over the scheduling and they are constantly trying to make up time. The stress of running their business is transferred to their customers. Furthermore, a lot of passengers are high-stress travelers, which shows in how they interact with others. Instead of letting other people stress you out, there are a few things you can do to maintain an even keel and be a mindful traveler.

First, take a few deep, full, breaths. This is one day of your life. If you encounter any travel hiccups, in the grand scheme of things, it’s only a blip on the radar.

Second, try to enjoy yourself. Be friendly and courteous to other passengers. Smile at the staff you encounter along the way, and thank them for all they do.

When you say no to secondhand stress, you are practicing to be more mindful and encouraging others to do the same.