Personal Space

Personal space is an important element of self defense for women to understand this instinctive territoriality. This space is not easily measurable. It expands and contracts to fit the social and cultural situation.

It seems that evolution has programmed this with a structure in the brain called the amygdala. The amygdala is located within each temporal lobe. It keeps you from getting so close to another person that they could easily harm you before you have a chance to react.

Though the actual area contained in personal space will vary form person to person, by definition it is the vicinity surrounding an person in which other people should stay out of in order for the individual to feel comfortable and secure. I have always thought of it as arm’s length, for me. I grew up and live in an urban area. Those people who were raised in a rural area probably have a larger area and/or longer arms.

Think of an elevator. Someone alone in it can stand anywhere, but when someone else steps in we generally arrange ourselves equidistance from each other. If the elevator gets full to capacity we may be packed in enough to make it impossible to avoid touching each other’s shoulders, etc. This is uncomfortable, but it’s only for a short ride (unless you’re in a sky scrapper).

Now let’s go back to being the only person in the elevator. The door opens; one person enters and stands shoulder to shoulder next to you. That’ll set off your internal alarms! As a self defense advocate I would advise you to get out now. Simply pretend you didn’t realize this was your floor and exit quickly before the doors close.

Others must gain our trust to be welcomed into our personal space. We embrace our family and friends with touching and hugging. Some people are huggers and some are not- perhaps that indicates a wider diameter of space.

A perpetrator/bully/drill sergeant may enter your space as a form of intimidation. It can be effective. You must also be aware of other people’s personal space and avoid invading it unknowingly and possibly triggering a violent reaction. Some aggressors are just waiting for an excuse to go ballistic.

So for self defense purposes it is best to guard your own space and be aware of and respect the space of others.

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