Why Are Boundaries Healthy for Relationships?
One of the most important skills we all need to learn is to create healthy boundaries in our relationships. To maintain strong lifelong professional, family, friendships or intimate relationships, you’re going to have to learn how to set boundaries. Unfortunately, it happens to be incredibly difficult to implement in practice. First, we each need to learn what our boundaries are. Then we need to learn to voice them in ways that are well received by our audience.
Without setting proper boundaries, we may grow inpatient, feel taken for granted, and become resentful. Some reasons why people don’t voice their needs is because it feels uncomfortable, they don’t want to be perceived as needy or selfish or want to avoid conflict. But learning to set boundaries can help people discover their needs and values, which gives us space to express to others who we are as individuals. Regardless of whether or not you are in recovery, learning to set healthy boundaries is an essential practice to living your best life.
Boundaries And Your Recovery
Setting boundaries effectively is one of the ultimate of self care practices. One of the goals of healthy boundaries is to reduce the feeling of being triggered from one’s relationships. When someone in recovery learns to enforce their boundaries in their relationships, something remarkable takes place. Their support network will begin to learn when it’s okay to press them on a topic or when to let something go. Hopefully this will lead to supporting one’s recovery by reducing triggering conversations with family, friends and coworkers. One of the best ways to create and maintain strong boundaries in recovery is to work with a recovery coach. Coaches are an excellent resource to help you “check in” internally and gauge your feelings about a given situation. They are also great for holding you accountable for the boundaries you intent to create in your relationships.
If you’re wondering whether you need to reinforce certain boundaries, here’s some biological and psychological indicators.
- Are you feeling angry or resentful? Maybe someone is asking too much of you and you need to practice saying no.
- Are you confused about a situation or relationship you’re in? It’s possible that you’re being manipulated and need to take a step back and evaluate what exactly is going on.
- Is your stomach in knots? If so, maybe you’re feeling uncomfortable and whatever you’re involved in doesn’t sit well with you.
Our dedicated team knows a thing or two about how to create strong boundaries to support you and your recovery. Contact us today to learn more!