Setting healthy boundaries
Setting healthy boundaries – both physical and emotional – is an essential component of mental health and wellbeing.
What does setting boundaries look like?
- Saying ‘no’ to things you don’t want to do
- Not compromising your values, beliefs or wellbeing
- Not sharing feelings or personal information when you feel uncomfortable to do so
- Choosing to not share your money with others
It’s important to communicate your boundaries so others know what they are and can respect them. Explain why the boundary is important to you. This sets expectations and helps to maintain health boundaries.
Work-life balance
Work is a prominent part of our lives. The desire for financial success and to further our careers can often take over other important things in our lives, such as rest, socialising and our hobbies.
To practice self-love, it’s important to maintain a work-life balance. This means that you prioritise both your work life and personal life.
A work-life reduces stress and improves one’s overall wellbeing.
Create a work-life balance by:
- Set boundaries at work. These include your work hours.
- Take proper breaks at work. Try to separate your ‘work time’ and ‘break time’. For example, you could eat lunch in a different room or a nearby park to separate, or go for a walk around the block.
- ‘Switch off’ when you leave work. Refrain from checking your work emails and doing additional work outside your work hours.
- Prioritise your health and take sick days when you need them.
- Take time off to recharge. Don’t let your annual leave build up over years – go on holiday to relax and enjoy your well-earned break.
- Speak up when work demands are getting too much. Discuss your concerns with your manager to set clear, realistic expectations and boundaries that won’t compromise your health.
Managing stress
No matter how hard we try to balance our lives, at times we become stressed.
Below are some tips to help manage stress:
- Exercising
- Meditating and deep breathing
- Eating a healthy diet
- Making time for hobbies
- Focus on potential solutions (not just the problem)
- Talking about your problems with someone you trust
- Speaking to a psychologist, councillor or doctor
Self-love can look different for everyone.
What does self-love look like for you?
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