Boundaries are the physical and emotional limits of appropriate behavior between people.
They help define where one person ends and another begins.
Having healthy boundaries gives them a sense of well-being, self-control, and self-esteem throughout their life.
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This article addresses healthy boundaries and how to set them.
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What Are Boundaries?
Research suggests that families have three types of boundaries.
Families with clear boundaries tend to function well.
Pay attention to your instincts.
Often, our bodies will respond before our minds when something about a situation feels off or unsafe.
This may lead to dysfunctional relationships, where people’s needs are not met.
A few examples of a person exhibiting unhealthy boundaries include:
Unhealthy boundaries can quickly turn into abuse.
Abusewhetherphysical,sexual, oremotionalis a violation of boundaries.
People who have been abused as children may not know healthy boundaries.
They often grow up with a lack of control over their personal, physical boundaries.
Benefits of Setting Boundaries
Setting limits can provide balance in your life.
Setting boundaries with partners, parents, friends, and co-workers all present their own unique challenges.
It can also prevent a toxic relationship from developing.
Personal boundaries define where one person ends and the other begins.
Boundaries affect intimate relationships, families, and colleagues in a work environment.
Setting relationship boundaries can be challenging, but boundaries ensure the relationship is healthy for everyone.
Setting boundaries is a key part of staying mentally healthy and maintaining positive relationships.
You don’t have to do this work alone.
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