AUGUST 2024 NEWSLETTER: Third Places and How They Promote Mental Wellness

What are Third Places?

Ray Oldenburg, a sociologist, added the notion of Third Places to our vocabulary in 1989. He identified three separate spaces, or places, where we spend our time each day. According to Oldenburg, First Places are our homes and Second Places are where we go to work. Third Places, on the other hand, are not our homes or workplaces, but other spaces where we socialize directly with others, like when we participate in a bowling league, or enjoy time on our own indirectly with others, like when we visit an art museum and browse the galleries in the presence of others.

An important feature of Third Places is their ability to support and enhance our emotional well-being. Third Places can combat loneliness, improve mood, and reduce stress because of their comfortable, social, and relaxed character. If a Third Place gives you a feeling of community, like when someone participates in a volunteer service organization or engages in a hobby they can’t do at work or home, it can also provide a sense of purpose and identity. There are countless possible third places in the world around us.

How do Third Places Promote Wellness?

There are many ways in which Third Places promote wellness. For one, third places enhance neighborhood diversity and cohesion, which in turn enhances the well-being of its inhabitants. They also facilitate self-actualization and physical activity, all while combating the negative effects of social isolation, thus encouraging better physical andmental health. The sense of community and belonging that comes with engagement with Third Places helps to build perceptions of security, confidence and comfort. They allow people to engage in the things they love, with people they love, and to lean into community and creativity. 

To better understand how wonderful Third Places can be for our mental health, it is helpful to look at what it might be like without them. During the COVID-19 pandemic, we saw the existence of and access to Third Places decline severely. This greatly exacerbated feelings of loneliness and isolation and contributed to mental health struggles like depression and anxiety. Humans are a social species, after all, and we are bound to feel the effects of not honoring that.

Third Place Possibilities

Here are some general examples of the kinds of spaces that make up Third Places. Try brainstorming some more using these examples as starters.

Examples of Third Places	Direct Interaction	Indirect Interaction	Both Kinds of Interaction
Coffee Shops
Museums
Libraries
Bowling Leagues
Dog Parks
Barber Shops

References

England, A. (2024, March 20). Why third places are essential to creating community in modern society: Never take your coffee shop for granted. https://www.verywellmind.com/why-third-places-matter-8584788

Finlay, J., Esposito, M., Kim, M. H., Gomez-Lopez, I., & Clarke, P. (2019). Closure of ‘third places’? Exploring potential consequences for collective health and wellbeing. Health & place, 60, 102225. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.healthplace.2019.102225

Liddy, K. (2023, August 2). Do you have a third place? Here’s why finding one is key for your well-being. https://www.today.com/life/inspiration/third-place-meaning-rcna94279

Tahmaseb-McConatha, J. (2015, March 14). Comforting third spaces: Access to “third spaces” can promote health and well-being. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/live-long-and-prosper/201503/comforting-third-spaces