Seasonal stress contagion

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There is a super moon tonight, its beautiful with slivers of distant clouds drifting in front of it and a few people I know have commented on how hyper their children have been today because of this full moon. I nodded politely, but Ive noticed lately everyone seems to be really stressed, I know the holiday season and the related pressures are the source of this.
Despite not having any significant reason for it I am also becoming stressed, like Im absorbing the abundant messages of extra negativity snowballing around me e.g. more road rage, short tempers, low moods, work pressures, end of year deadlines etc etc.
Is anyone else experiencing this stress contagion?

http://time.com/84080/stress-contagious/
http://www.time-stressmanagement-traini ... balls.html
https://sushantdhamecha.files.wordpress ... arlson.pdf


(ETA A related topic... This link I found describes how the social stress of being in the presence of a stranger limits a persons ability to experience empathy for them, the same is true for mice.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2 ... 122005.htm)

I would be if my wife was home for Christmas LOL

^I guess you will enjoy the peace and quiet then in NY!

I feel very stressed lately, more than usual, yes. I feel sad and angry and negative.

Just going "normal shopping" not even "Christmas shopping" is worse at this time, even at those normally optimal times of day or week.

I hate that just going out for milk and toilet paper puts you among frantic crowds of rude people at this time of year, when normally you can expect a relatively calm trip there and back.

It's a pressure cooker time of year and you can't even avoid it by the usual methods of choosing the best time to even step outside your home.

Everybody seems really miserable now - at least here in the U.K.

I'm detecting more irritability, judgement and hostility. People seemed bogged down in their lives. This has been going on for many months now, not just because of the time of year.

I agree about the UK. I'm feeling like I just don't even want to step outside my door anymore. I'm feeling very bombarded with the nastiness of life here.

I'm not experiencing increased stress. Every year I do something different regarding the holidays, ranging from nothing at all to lots of gifts and visiting. This year is medium. I did most of my shopping online, which is much easier for me than going out in the shops. I feel happy with my situation in life and able to achieve some good things, without stressing over what is out of my control.

So, just a counterpoint?

Bea, while there is a sense in which there is nothing wrong with someone expressing that they "feel happy with my situation in life" -- do you not see how sometimes saying a thing like on a thread where people are clearly feeling something different sounds like rubbing it in people's faces?

Seriously, you come across as terribly smug. I really get the feeling you post this stuff with deliberate intent to impress upon people how fortunate you are, not for good reasons or the inspiration you try to make it out to be, but instead to shame others.

Which is NOT helpful, or kind.

I honestly do not believe one bit that you sincerely want to just "counter point."

I really believe you are trying to needle people. I genuinely think you need to really look down deep inside and examine whether there isn't that motivation behind all your descriptions of how happy your situation and how good your outlook is.

I have no doubt both are genuine but it's your motivation in always saying so that I question the good intention of. I think you're using it as a weapon rather than a good thing around here.

Ah come on, please keep things civil, all input is welcome.

People on the spectrum are usually sensitive to different things, some are more prone to empathic stress.

Amity, I apologize to you. This is your thread and you are free to accept all input.

I just sincerely do not believe that when Bea says these "I'm great" things, that it's entirely free of wanting to make some kind of point to somebody.

I should have PM-ed her with these thoughts. I'm done with this thread but I just can't take much more of Bea's brand of self righteousness.

Just because some people are feeling increased stress with the holidays, and just because the holidays are stressful to many, does not mean that they always have to be that way.

I will have my times of great distress, they will come as my loved ones age, become infirm, and die, and I see that happening to me in the foreseeable future, with at least two family members.

But I also believe those who possess life have an obligation to be happy if at all possible, and I have found some ways of doing that, in the midst of sorrow, depression and loss. I laugh often and heartily, and I have learned to be resilient.

This does seem to be an attitude that is scarce around WrongPlanet, the idea that it's okay and possible to be happy. It is not smug, and it is not gloating, and is not needling, for me to offer the counterpoint that it does not have to be that way. I wish more people would accept the proposition and then learn how to achieve it.

The OP in this thread asked if people are detecting more holiday angst or stress contagion. I'm saying I am not experiencing it. That's all.