6 Keys To Setting Better Boundaries That Can Help You from Feeling Overwhelmed

Written by: Vince Morales, Executive Contributor

Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.

What does setting boundaries mean? You may hear the term but have no idea how to put it into practice. You establish a boundary when you put separations that help you feel safe, valued, and respected. Even though we all fail to set boundaries in some areas of our lives, we all feel overwhelmed. Recently, even in my professional life, I have encountered this myself. If your emotional intelligence is malfunctioning, you will be thrown for a loop if you do not notice emotions.

You verbalize those issues that affect your comfort level. It is about learning how and when to say ‘no’ to others or things that will cause you to be overwhelmed. Boundaries are your safety net and can be expanded or constricted, as necessary.

Better Boundaries Help You Stop Feeling Overwhelmed

If you have not set boundaries before, you think you do not have it in you. Once you understand how establishing limits can help you from feeling overwhelmed, you will want to give the practice a second chance:

1. You learn to be self-compassionate: One result of being overwhelmed is the lack of proper self-care. When you set boundaries, you realize that it is ok to have compassion for yourself and protect yourself from feelings that will arise when others push your limits.

2. You learn to prioritize your needs and set goals: You need to set priorities to protect your time from others. Rest should be one of those priorities, as it helps you handle what is on your plate.

3. You learn assertiveness: You may struggle with laying down boundaries because you lack assertiveness. As you determine your boundaries and put them into practice, you develop your confidence and self-assurance.

4. You learn to say ‘no’ with no further explanation: You may struggle to tell someone no because of guilt. Failing to place boundaries may result in you saying yes to everything and no to yourself, which can be detrimental. Listen, you can tell someone no and not feel you owe an explanation. It can be somewhat amusing to lay down your boundary with someone and walk away, and you do not owe an explanation.

5. You learn to put the phone down: Constant connectivity increases stress, anxiety, and other mental health problems. By turning off your phone, you are removing the constant interruption to your day, and as a result, you reduce the feeling of failure that results from comparing yourself to others on social media.

6. You learn to handle demands from your coworkers: If you have one of those coworkers who think they can make unreasonable requests, boundaries will help stop this. You will regain time and be happier once your team understands where your boundaries lay.

Boundaries help you put your well-being where it needs to be first. They also aid you in keeping your sense of being overwhelmed at bay. Leap and put overwhelm away by instituting boundaries in your life and relationships.

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Vince Morales, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine

Vince Morales is a mindset, self-image, and resilience coach. In addition, he is skilled in leadership consultation and development. From April 2016 to June 2017, Vince was a homeless veteran in San Diego, CA. While homeless he made a powerful decision to change his thinking and mindset launching into life coaching. He developed a niche for resilience and mindset coaching. The growth of his business ultimately led to the end of his homelessness. Vince is the Founder of Validus Coaching & Consulting, formerly Zoe Transformation. His story has been featured in online articles and online news outlets all over the U.S. He is a certified John Maxwell Team Coach, Trainer, & Speaker as well as a motivational speaker. In 2021, Vince earned his Master's degree in Psychology of Leadership from Penn State University and is currently a doctoral student pursuing a PhD in Performance Psychology. He is a 2020 inductee in The National Society of Leadership and Success.