Today, more than ever before, we are always ‘connected’ to the outside world due to our highly digitalized online space. This can make it hard to set boundaries if you are not careful. You might feel you are always on-call and obliged to respond to every ‘ding and ping’ you hear.
If you are someone that everyone knows will answer and respond to their every need, you need to set your personal boundaries right now! Otherwise, you may soon experience burnout.
The Benefits of Setting Boundaries For Burnout Prevention
Burnout is a serious problem. It can lead to decreased performance and poor health, so to help prevent burnout, one step to take is to set boundaries. By knowing how to set your boundaries you can manage your stress levels so much better and avoid burnout. Here are the benefits of doing that.
Prevents Overworking
It is normal to have a hectic schedule, it appears as if we all do. You might have to do extra work at home, respond to work emails beyond your work hours, or even work on weekends. This leads to overworking, which is a top reason you need to set boundaries.
While you may want to show how dedicated you are to your job and impress your employer, working beyond your expected work hours and scope of responsibilities is not sustainable. Plus, they may expect you to do it all the time! Overworking can lead to burnout in no time. So make sure you set boundaries between your work and personal life.
Protects Your Emotional Well-Being
Setting boundaries helps you avoid giving to others all the time, without limits, which can cause you to feel emotionally exhausted. You need time for yourself, and if you are not caring for yourself you may begin to feel resentful of the people who are constantly draining you. You need to set boundaries so you can focus on your own needs and priorities.
Knowing your needs and limits and setting boundaries is a form of self-care, so start caring for yourself!
Gives You a Sense of Control
Boundaries prevent you from getting into situations you do not want to be in because you can express and speak up for what you can and cannot do, and you will feel more in control.
Setting boundaries requires assertiveness as it may not align with what others want. However, being assertive allows you to take care of yourself and put your interests first.
Setting boundaries is about doing what you can control, which is your own behavior, rather than expecting others to change.
Establishes Healthy Relationships
When you know how to set boundaries, it also helps you build better, healthier relationships. You can gain respect and won’t feel resentful of others who would otherwise take advantage of you. In any relationship, you have to assert what you are okay with and what you are not.
How to Set Your Boundaries to Avoid Burnout
Here are some tips for setting boundaries to avoid burnout.
Know Your Priorities
You need to identify your priorities, and if in a working environment, you need to ensure that you are getting fair compensation and safe working conditions. This will help you stay focused on what matters the most, do tasks one step at a time, and avoid overworking.
Take Advantage of Technology
Make technology work for you, not enslave you. Turn off your email notifications when you are at home, use productivity apps, optimize your calendar, and automate your tasks. Technology can be a powerful tool that you can use to avoid overworking.
Be Comfortable Saying No More Often
Setting boundaries means saying no to commitments or tasks that are beyond your scope or capacity, and do not feel bad about it! When you can be clear and assertive about your limits, it can help build your self-esteem and self-respect. You will feel more confident and self-assured too.
Practice Self-Care
Take time to do things that relax you. It can be whatever makes you feel good. It is also important to eat a healthy diet to support your mood and energy levels, and don’t forget to exercise regularly too.
In Summary
Setting boundaries prevents you from overextending yourself, which can lead to burnout. Make sure you take steps to take care of yourself, assert your needs and limits, and know your priorities.
Once you set your boundaries, you have to honor them and be consistent about enforcing them. Do not give in because you feel bad. You have every right to say no when things do not align with your needs.
