November 2021 Events: National Personal Space Day

Hi everyone! November 30th is National Personal Space Day.

This day "promotes kindness toward sensitivities and supports healing and self-protection by recognizing everyone’s right to decide when and how to be touched" (source).

What is personal space?

Personal space is the physical distance we maintain when interacting with other people that allows us to feel safe and comfortable.

Research in the 1960s by anthropologist Edward Hall found that people tend to observe four different kinds of space depending on the type of relationship they have with someone:

• 1) Intimate space (0-1.5 feet): for family, lovers, close friends
• 2) Personal space (1.5-4 feet): for friends and acquaintances
• 3) Social space (4-12 feet): for new acquaintances and strangers
• 4) Public space (12+ feet): anyone can enter

Neuroscientific research has found that there are specific parts of our brain (the parietal cortex and premotor cortex) that continuously monitor the space around us. When someone who is unfamiliar gets too close, neural signals in these areas start to fire and this can cause us to feel uncomfortable, anxious, hurt, or angry.

There is evidence that some of the earliest human societies observed these kinds of spaces even before formal language existed. In addition, it has been found that animals have a similar version of these spaces that help to protect them from predators.

Differences in personal space needs

Cultural differences can affect the amount of personal space that people expect:

• In high-contact cultures (e.g. South America, Mediterranean Europe, Middle East), people tend to stand closer together and touch more frequently
• In low-contact cultures (e.g. Northern Europe, North America, Asia), people tend to stand further apart and touch less frequently

However, independent of culture, there are many factors that can cause someone to need more personal space:

• People who have experienced anxiety, trauma, or abuse often tend to need more space.
• People who are immunocompromised may depend on increased space in order to protect themselves from serious health complications.
• People who have touch sensitivity as a result of physical health conditions or neurodivergence may experience touch as very uncomfortable or even painful.
• People who are pregnant often tend to need more space.

How to protect your own personal space

If someone has entered too close into your personal space and you are feeling uncomfortable, here are some tips for things you can do:

• Acknowledge that you feel uncomfortable and it is okay to need personal space
• Use body language to signal discomfort (e.g. backing up, extending your hand for a handshake if you don’t want a hug)
• Express your limits and needs calmly but clearly, framing it in terms of your own personal preferences or discomfort
• If the behavior continues, try giving a gentle reminder first; if this doesn’t work, then be firm and push back more forcefully

Question for reflection

Why is it important to respect others’ personal space?

Sources:

https://nationaldaycalendar.com/national-personal-space-day-november-30/

https://givespacepeach.com/personal-space/

https://givespacepeach.com/touch-sensitivity/

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-couch/201509/5-ways-protect-your-personal-space

https://www.prevention.com/health/a28692075/personal-space/

To get a seasonal badge for your participation, please fill out THIS form

To check out other November events, please check out THIS masterpost