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How the Brain Copes With Social Distancing
The psychology behind personal space
Something isn’t right.
They no longer acknowledge the presence of one another.
Solitary or in couples, they scatter themselves in an oddly equidistant manner across the sand. They wander without purpose. When the path of one comes close to another, an invisible field leads them to alter their course, like two opposing magnets. It creates a cold, bleak vibe that contrasts ironically with the hot, sunny beach.
This is the scene I now see on my morning walk. You are no doubt seeing similar eerie sights in your part of the world, as social distancing has become our new norm.
While there is an undeniable need for such restrictions, observing how we behave in these times leaves me truly baffled.
Why does social distancing feel so unsettling?
Personal space
To understand the effect social distancing is having on us, we must first understand why six feet is considered…
