HEALTHY BOUNDARY

By Natalie Smith

What does it mean when you hear the word “boundary”?

Healthy boundary is when you have the ability to decline anything you do not want to do. You express your feelings responsibly. You take the initiative to be authentic with yourself by talking about your experience honestly. You can reply in the moment. Addressing problems directly with the person involved, rather than hold it back or involved a third party. These laws are based on the concept of the importance of considering our behavior in order to lead more mindful, compassionate life for ourselves and for others.

It is important to have healthy boundaries. Boundaries create trust and build healthy relationships among yourself and others. Even when some people don’t like what you do, they will likely still respect you for standing up for what you believe in. When your privacy is respected, you are more likely to feel heard, validated and appreciated. Most of all, you are not taken for granted by your love ones, colleagues, friends and etc. It is no longer only about others’ needs but yours as well. Your boundaries are the rules for how others learn to respect around you, how you want to be treated, what you will accept and what you will not – they are based on your own needs and wants. It is not selfish, rude, pushy or self-centered to make these requests. It is understanding the importance of your value, knowing your priorities and making sure others do as well. Setting healthy boundaries is part of self-care and self-respect. It helps forming the base of your own personal leadership.

There are ten types of boundaries you need to set:

1. Physical Boundaries

It includes your needs for personal space, your comfort with, and your physical needs like resting, eating food, drinking water

2. Sexual Boundaries

Healthy sexual boundaries include consent, agreement, respect, understanding of preferences, desires, privacy

3. Emotional or Mental Boundaries

It is all about respecting and honoring feelings and energy

4. Spiritual or Religious Boundaries

Protect your right to believe in what you want, worship as you wish