ps: this article is part of a series which is a collaboration between us and the mind watch foundation (a foundation that is determined to change your view on mental health and help you improve yours as well)...
HOW DOES SETTING BOUNDARIES WITH FAMILY MEMBERS ACTUALLY IMPROVE ONE’S MENTAL HEALTH?
Boundary setting is an important aspect of taking care of one’s mental health. If you don’t set these boundaries, you end up doing things you did not want to do and your family members will end up draining your energy and time. These boundaries maybe personal of course, emotional, cultural or even based on society. People set boundaries for many different reasons but did you know that one can set boundaries even with family members? The essay below will show you what boundaries people set and how they can actually improve one’s mental health.
Setting boundaries is about verbalizing what impacts your comfort levels, It means learning how and when to say no. One may feel they owe their family members a level of response to why they can or cannot do something. Setting a good boundary automatically explains itself whereas unhealthy boundaries where one feels like they have to uphold their family’s feelings above theirs which leads to resentment, anger, anxiety, depression and stress. So by setting these boundaries, one improves their mental health.
By setting these boundaries, one actually gets inner peace because some family members are quite a lot to handle and they may tend to be dramatic about certain things in one’s life which becomes stressful and uncomfortable for someone. With the boundaries, family members get to know their limits and stay in their different lanes which reduces the situations and circumstances that one gets stressed from thus improving mental health.
These boundaries earn one respect in that your family will know which property of which to touch, what to talk and not talk about with you and this makes one comfortable with the people around him. Disrespect may sometimes trigger someone and in many cases they are found angry and short tempered most of which they cannot control themselves. So better to set these boundaries and earn yourself some respect and in the process improve your mental health.
Privacy and personal space is something everyone needs and must have. With one setting boundaries with family members, they retain a sense of identity and personal space which leaves room for privacy and this relaxes one’s mind. It also helps one to be more independent and have the feeling that he can actually complete a task alone without the help of a family member. It boosts their sense of responsibility and that in most cases is what they need to improve their mental health.
Setting boundaries with family members boosts someone’s self-esteem and confidence around them. Many cases you may find one is decided for in the family even when they are adults because they are not respected enough to be entrusted with the burden of making their own decisions. Setting boundaries gives one freedom of expression and so much more including less pressure from the family members improving their mental health.
Avoiding negative energy and bad habits from family members improves one’s mental health and its done by setting these boundaries. Families with history of abuse, domestic violence, jealousy, neglect from family or even drunkardness are some of the habits one has to distance themselves from. By setting these boundaries, one gives themselves a chance to be better and not like any of their family members which improves and protects one’s mental health.
Sometimes there are expectations from family members which may not necessarily be the ones someone wants for themselves therefore to stay mentally stable or happy and avoid drama, one has to set some boundaries. Someone may not involve themselves in some discussions or activities because of the impact they may have on them which actually improves mental health.
Setting boundaries from parents who tend to put a lot of pressure on children about things their children do not even want to do without even knowing how they feel about them. By setting boundaries, you give yourself a chance to focus on yourself, make yourself a priority because you have the autonomy to decide something for yourself and also to consent on something.
NB: this article was a contribution from
a volunteer from the mind watch foundation...Ms Namugga Elizabeth 🐣.
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