Setting boundaries is so important. We need boundaries in our work place, home and relationships to protect ourselves from negativity and things that might unnecessarily drain our energy. 

A simple definition of boundaries is that they are your ‘yes’ and ‘no’. What you are willing to accept or not accept in your life. They shape your life story and take care of you. Through establishing boundaries you can become more decisive, have healthier relationships and live with less stress. 

Here are some tips for setting strong and healthy boundaries today:

1. Listen to your inner compass
When faced with difficulties, sit with your emotions and listen to what they are telling you. Consider what you truly want and  and what makes you feel uncomfortable – these are the parameters of your boundaries.

2. Make self-care a priority
Recognising that only you can take care of yourself is the first step of boundary setting. Value the importance of YOUR feelings and honour them. Putting yourself first also allows you to give more love and support to others.

2. Be assertive
We can sometimes forget that other people aren’t mind readers. It’s important to communicate assertively and respectfully when someone crosses a boundary. This might feel uncomfortable or unnatural at first, but stand your ground - you are mitigating stress down the line. 

3. Banish the people-pleaser
Acknowledge that disappointment from others is inevitable. The key to placing boundaries where you need them the most is listening to what YOU need, not what others need. You’ll soon find that people will respect you more! 

4. Recognise your priorities
When faced with challenging times, focus only on your priorities and let go of the rest. With the mobile age expecting us to always be ‘on’, we need to be more vigilant than ever to use our boundaries to protect our time for rest & recovery. 

Now that you're set, it's time to get those  boundaries in place, protect your energy and live the life you want!