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JULY 2021
Healthy boundaries, healthy relationships
We all feel overwhelmed at times by personal and professional obligations. But for some of us, it’s actually a struggle to say no when we really want to. Feelings of guilt, fear of being seen as selfish, and discomfort over letting others down can make it hard to do what’s best for ourselves. But when we take on too much or don’t put ourselves first, it can be hard to maintain healthy boundaries — the very thing that can keep us from burning out. Boundaries can also help us create healthy relationships by setting limits on our time and energy.
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We choose our relationships with significant others and friends, but we can’t choose relationships with family and coworkers. Whether we choose them or not, having healthy relationships at any age helps improve our mental health, provides social support and reduces stress. In order to build a healthy relationship, we need to have:
- Awareness — Be present and engaged during conversations. Show respect for others and their opinions, even if you don’t agree. Expect the same from others.
- Balance — Give enough support and time to relationships you value. Be conscious of how much energy you give to others, remembering to leave some for yourself.
- Communication — Demonstrate active listening by not interrupting and asking relevant questions. Use body language to show you’re engaged.
Beyond maintaining healthy boundaries and relationships for yourself, it’s important that children of any age understand what’s healthy and what’s not. Through relationships, children learn how to think, understand, communicate, behave, express emotions and develop social skills.