You may have heard about the benefits of setting boundaries with family, friends, and coworkers. By communicating your needs and wants, you can boost your self-esteem, prioritize your mental and emotional health, and improve your overall well-being. In the long run, boundaries can also enhance your relationships with those around you, helping you feel respected instead of resentful. However, it’s important to understand that there are various types of boundaries.
Here are three of the most common:
1. Physical Boundaries: These involve how you want to be touched and the amount of personal space you need. For example, you might communicate to a colleague that you prefer shaking hands rather than hugging or kissing. This type of boundary also applies to your personal space at home. For instance, you can let your in-laws know that you don’t feel comfortable having them enter your bedroom while they babysit.
2. Material Boundaries: These relate to your willingness to lend out money and possessions and how you expect them to be treated. For example, you might tell a friend that you cannot afford to lend them more than $100. Alternatively, you can inform your son that he can borrow your car only if he returns it with a full tank of gas.
3. Time Boundaries: These involve how you want to use your time. For example, you could inform your boss that you cannot stay past the end of your scheduled workday. Similarly, you might ask your spouse to refrain from calling and texting while you’re having dinner with friends, except in emergencies.
Start Setting Boundaries in Your Life
If you need assistance in implementing any of the boundaries described above, please contact us today to schedule a consultation with one of our skilled therapists. We understand the many benefits that healthy boundaries can offer, and we will work with you to identify the steps you need to take to establish them in your life.
