7 steps to setting healthy boundaries.

Boundaries protect your peace of mind.

There are more types of boundaries than we often appreciate:

• physical
• emotional
• mental
• time
• material
• sexual
• spiritual

When you learn to establish and maintain these boundaries, you’ll improve your mental health and your relationships.

Here’s how to get started:

1. REFLECT Identify your emotional, mental and physical limits. Pay attention to situations that cause you stress or discomfort. Start by understanding your needs!

2. DEFINE BOUNDARIES Be specific about what you accept and don’t accept. Once you’ve clarified that for yourself, you can then communicate those limits to others around you.

3. COMMUNICATE CLEARLY Express your boundaries openly and respectfully. Use “I” statements to communicate feelings without blaming others.

4. START SMALL Start building those boundary-setting muscles in situations with low stakes. As you build confidence, you can set boundaries in high stakes areas.

5. BE CONSISTENT Keep your boundaries consistently to avoid confusion and to reinforce those limits. Being consistent helps others understand and respect your needs.

6. PREPARE FOR PUSHBACK Some people may resist or challenge the boundaries you’ve started setting. Don’t feel guilty about holding firm and defining your needs. Setting boundaries = self-care.

7. SEEK SUPPORT Boundary-setting can be tough at first. Don’t be afraid to get help from a mental health professional to coach you through this.

Your boundaries are the invisible force field that protects your peace of mind.