The Benefits of Healthy Boundaries in Relationships
Regardless of their type, setting healthy balance and appropriate boundaries is essential to have healthy relationships.
Many people tend to think that setting boundaries is selfish or unfair. But it is quite the opposite. By setting personal boundaries in relationships, you let other people know how you want to be treated. Also, healthy balance and boundaries ensure that relationships are mutually compassionate and respectful.
How to Set Healthy Boundaries in a Relationship?
Often, we assume that people will respect our boundaries because we know what is right and acceptable. However, this is not always the case. We can engage in toxic relationships with people who violate our boundaries, causing us to feel confused, anxious, and emotionally drained around those individuals. Therefore, it is essential to establish healthy emotional, mental, and physical limits to feel safe and respected.
Get a Consultation Right Now! Call: 07398471889
Ariana is offering a free 15-minute initial phone consultation to answer any questions you may have about counselling.
Knowing Your Rights
The first step in setting personal boundaries is knowing your rights in a relationship. Whether it is a romantic relationship, family relationships, or relationships at work, we should feel that our rights are respected. You have the right to feel safe and protected in a relationship, have your needs met, and respect your boundaries. You have the right to feel validated, heard, and respected and never to experience any abuse.
Practice Assertiveness
Furthermore, to maintain healthy boundaries, you need to identify your limits in relationships. Make sure to assertively express your needs and expectations and define what behaviours are acceptable within a relationship.
Learning to say “no” is a great way to create healthy boundaries that will allow you to focus on your needs and things that matter to you. Practice repeating simple “no” calmly but firmly, making your boundaries clear and confident.
The Benefits of Setting Boundaries
Setting boundaries in relationships can help you protect your rights and free you from gaslighting, codependency, triangulation, and any manipulation or abuse. Also, boundaries can protect you from low self-esteem and harming feelings of self-doubt or shame for allowing others to mistreat you.
Healthy boundaries in relationships can contribute to:
- Greater assertiveness
- More understanding and compassion
- Lesser resentment, anger, and conflicts
- Better communication
- A feeling of safety and composure
- Having your needs met
- More honesty and openness