Having healthy boundaries throughout your life will help you increase overall happiness along with many other benefits. Some of these benefits include: Less Anxiety and Depression, Less Conflict, Greater confidence, Less Stress, Greater Self-Respect, and more time to do the things you enjoy. An important area to maintain healthy boundaries is with family members.

Boundaries are a set of expectations that you have for others and how they treat you. When we have clear boundaries, we are respecting ourselves and others in a way that is being honest with our core feelings and who we really are inside. Maintaining good boundaries with others means checking in with our own emotions regularly, especially if there is anger or fear experienced with another person. Establishing healthy boundaries that protect a sense of fairness and safety ensure good mental health.

Healthy boundaries and change

Relationships can change over time and we may find that we no longer have healthy boundaries with our loved ones. These changes can be very subtle, or they can happen when a major event takes place with your family. When a child is born or a relative moves to a different area, new expectations and routines may bring individual needs or preferences to light. Conflict could be created and the family will need to discuss the issue to achieve compromise. Family counseling can be a safe place to determine healthy boundaries with loved ones.

The truth is, setting boundaries can be a struggle for many people. They can even make things seem worse at first. Being true to yourself and others shows that you are important and respect yourself. The great thing is that the more you create boundaries with others, the easier it becomes. In the end you gain confidence in yourself and in the knowledge that you are respected and cared for by your family. Your relationships will help you find a greater sense of awareness of your needs and how to meet them with your loved ones.

Rebeca Bright, PsyD

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