Hello and welcome back to Prevention Connection. Today's video will cover boundaries—what they are, how we set them, and how we can make sure to stick to them once they're in place. Let’s first break down what a boundary is. Boundaries are the limits and invisible lines we set for ourselves. They act as guidelines for what we feel comfortable with and the expectations we have of the people we interact with. Boundaries can be present in all aspects of our lives, and they play a key role in making our lives more balanced. They help keep our relationships and ourselves healthy, allow us to make ourselves a priority, and help others understand our needs. For example, a healthy boundary with friends could be about being respectful of each other’s values. Chances are, you and your friends will disagree sometimes. For instance, I value time, and my friends are often late to events, which bothers me. A boundary I set is telling them how it makes me feel and asking them to respect my time. A healthy friendship allows people to prioritize different things while still maintaining respect. Boundaries are personal to each of us and can be shaped by many factors, like our culture, where we live, our personality type, life experiences, and our family. But how do we know what boundaries to set? One way is to pay attention to how certain people or situations make you feel. If something makes you feel unsafe, overwhelmed, or like you want to avoid it, those feelings should be acknowledged and respected. It’s critical to respect ourselves and recognize our rights when setting boundaries. To figure out your boundaries, you can make a list of key values important to you. For example, you might affirm that you have the right to say no without feeling guilty, be treated with respect, prioritize your needs as much as others, accept your mistakes, and refuse to meet unreasonable expectations from others. Once you’ve determined your boundaries, how do you set them? Be assertive, use clear "I" statements to communicate what you need, learn to say no, and don’t feel obligated to justify your decisions. If necessary, seek help, especially when dealing with tricky or dangerous situations such as addiction or mental health issues. Although setting boundaries can be difficult at first, they are great tools for keeping ourselves safe and healthy. Boundaries aren’t just for us; they also help us respect others’ space and needs. You can respect other people’s boundaries by listening when they express their needs and being mindful when they appear uncomfortable. Look for cues like avoiding eye contact, turning away, limited conversation, or nervous gestures such as folding arms or flinching. If you’re unsure, ask. Create a safe space for them to express their discomfort and boundaries with you. There will come a time when your boundaries are tested—someone might do something you’re uncomfortable with, or you may be put in a situation where you feel obligated to violate a boundary. Prepare for these situations and how you’ll respond. Boundaries are the limits we set for ourselves, and it’s up to us to decide what they are and when to set them. We hope you found this video helpful. For additional resources on healthy boundary setting, check out the description box below. As always, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell button so you never miss a video!