There are many “unwritten rules” when it comes to healthy, respectful relationships. For instance, a person isn’t supposed to air out another person’s secrets in front of others. It’s now becoming common to take out the “unwritten” aspect of those expectations and make them quite clear to others. These are referred to as boundaries.

Boundaries have become one of the main discussion points when it comes to improving mental health. A boundary is essentially a limit or a rule that is self-imposed as a way to protect a person’s mental and emotional well-being. For example, if your teen feels like you’re constantly trying to make decisions for them, they may set a boundary with you that they don’t want input on a decision unless they ask you for it first.

A boundary can be set at any time. A teen is likely to establish one — or multiple — after regularly experiencing distress that was caused, or contributed to, by other people.

When a teen establishes boundaries, they’re playing an active role in taking control of their life, both now and in the future. By learning how boundaries can be powerful for a teen’s overall well-being, you can gain a better understanding of why it’s important to respect those boundaries, even when they may go against your parental instincts. Encourage your teen’s independence and respect their boundaries, but remain available for guidance when needed. Open communication about boundaries can foster mutual understanding and trust.

Here are six ways healthy boundaries can help a teen take control over their life:

• Setting their standards — Teens need to have a high sense of their own self-worth, but it may take time to build. When they set healthy boundaries, they can start to recognize what they deserve. They also won’t settle for anything less. Boundaries help a teen have respect for themselves and not put up with others who don’t do the same for them. If a teen sets those standards during adolescence, chances are, their value for those standards will only strengthen as they get older.
• Practicing self-care — One of the most effective ways for your teen to treat mental distress now and prevent it in the future is to incorporate self-care into their lifestyle. Self-care looks different for everyone. The term is often used in association with things like decompressing with a podcast each night or practicing meditation. However, setting boundaries (and sticking to them) is an important act of self-care. In doing this, your teen is prioritizing their own well-being.
• Gaining confidence — Being a teen is about trying to figure out who one is and how a person wants to be seen by others. Comparing oneself to others can lead to low self-esteem. When a teen sets healthy boundaries, it showcases a boost in their confidence and a significant step in their journey to become the best version of themselves. 
• Reducing the risk of burnout — It’s not uncommon for a teen to experience burnout. This refers to being mentally, emotionally or physically exhausted to the point that it interferes with a person’s overall quality of life and productivity. A teen may experience burnout if they are overwhelmingly distressed due to poor treatment by others. By setting boundaries that fight back against that treatment, such as not accepting social invites they don’t enjoy, they’re taking a step to prevent burnout.
• Recognizing unhealthy patterns — Sometimes we become so used to certain behaviors from other people. We may not recognize the negativity that they may be causing. We brush it off as “It is what it is” or “That’s just how they are.” However, it’s important for your teen to put their foot down to stop repetitive behaviors from others that are affecting their mental and emotional health. Recognizing those patterns can help them gain a better awareness of potential issues and learn how to prevent them.
• Finding the right relationships — Interpersonal relationships play a significant role in your teen’s overall development. They are likely searching to find meaningful friendships and romantic relationships. They’re also building healthy familial relationships. By establishing boundaries, they are able to have a better perception of relationships that are worth pursuing. They can also distance themselves from those that continuously cause them distress. Learning how to build and maintain healthy relationships is a skill that will benefit your teen throughout their life. 

Setting boundaries can be a significant step in your teen’s mental health journey. Everyone can benefit from establishing their own boundaries, and they’re especially helpful to teens who are trying to manage their anxiety and depression symptoms, as well as improve their stress management.

While therapy can help your teen learn how to set their boundaries, Lightfully Teen levels of care can help if they need further intensive support. We provide three levels of care to help teens improve their mental health:

• Residential Treatment 
• Intensive Outpatient Program
• Partial Hospitalization Program 

Change is possible. When you’re ready to take the first step toward helping your teen, reach out to our Admissions Concierge Team. We’ll take the next steps together, toward the fullest, brightest version of them.