How to set boundaries these holidays

While the holiday period brings celebration and joy, it can also be incredibly busy and chaotic, and throw you out of your routine. Setting boundaries is an essential act of self-love. Ensuring you put them in place during the holiday period may just save you from starting the new year feeling burnt out.

Take a deep breath and allow your mind and body to relax by following these guilt-free boundary-setting tips this holiday period.

What are healthy boundaries?

Healthy boundaries can be set with almost anyone, including partners, friends, and colleagues. But it’s important to take a step back sometimes and set some healthy boundaries with yourself as well.

According to recent studies, healthy boundaries help us avoid stressful situations – especially ones we don’t feel we have control over. So, protect the time dedicated to your personal wellbeing and you’ll feel more at ease this busy holiday period.      

Why is it important to set boundaries?

A healthier you means healthier relationships

It’s common to feel as though we owe our families time, money, space, and energy without limitation – especially during the holiday period. However, you can still be kind and compassionate towards your loved ones without sacrificing your personal space and mental health.

Poor boundaries can lead to resentment, anger, and burnout. By making yourself a priority, even when surrounded by family, your relationships can start to flourish in the long-term.

The ultimate act of self-love

The best way to describe self-love is through the concept of balance. Self-love is the balance between accepting yourself as you are but knowing when you deserve better – and working towards that. It’s important to remember this during the holiday period when your to-do list is piling up and your daily routine starts to de-rail. Put in place the appropriate boundaries and you’ll be able to keep a healthy balance between holiday fun and everything else going on at the time.

Tips for setting boundaries these holidays

Understand your limits

The first step to setting healthy boundaries this holiday period is to ask yourself some simple questions about how you want to feel both before and after the new year. Some helpful questions to remember:

• What’s most important to me during this holiday period?
• Do I need some me-time during the holidays?
• What will make me feel happiest during this period?
• Am I saying yes to a lot of events or tasks because I feel guilty?

Speak up

By just simply speaking up and being direct, your holiday period can transform from a chaotic nightmare into a state of bliss. Speak from the heart to those closest to you regarding holiday stress and you’ll start to feel more at ease. Similarly, give yourself permission to reduce interaction with people who don’t contribute to your emotional wellbeing.

Enjoy yourself

It’s okay for things to not go to plan. If you’re hosting a holiday party, it doesn’t need to be perfect. And, if you’re not sticking to a strict workout routine or healthy eating plan, it might actually be a blessing in disguise. The holiday season can bring out the inner child in all of us, yet staying rigid in a routine often means we lose this more playful side of ourselves. So, this holiday season, let yourself unwind without the constant guilt of not being perfect.

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