Discover the power of boundaries
Picture this: you're on a rollercoaster that’s moments from starting. You nervously double-check your seatbelt. Phew. It’s secure! With adrenaline rushing through your body, the train lurches forward. It’s go time.
Rollercoaters not your thing? We get it. Regardless of the vehicle, fastening your seatbelt is a no-brainer. It’s a personal safety zone. A boundary. And boundaries extend far beyond machines with wheels. They’re invisible seatbelts in your everyday life.
Whether you hold steadfast to your limits—or consider yourself a people-pleaser—today we’re honing in on boundaries. Spoiler alert: they have countless benefits. From enhanced productivity to improving hormone balance, asserting what you will (and won’t) tolerate in your life is game-changing.
Types of boundaries
Boundaries are emotional, physical, and psychological limits. We set them to protect our well-being and define our personal space. They act as a shield to keep us safe, emotionally balanced, and in control of our lives. To understand boundaries better, let's break them down into three key categories:
- Physical boundaries: These define your personal space and physical comfort. It could be as simple as telling someone not to touch you without permission.
- Emotional boundaries: These protect your feelings and emotions. You can establish emotional boundaries by expressing your feelings honestly and setting limits on the emotional toll you're willing to bear.
- Psychological boundaries: These define your thoughts and beliefs. Establishing these boundaries involves standing up for your values and not allowing others to manipulate or control your thoughts.
How to set—and hold—your own boundaries
Now that you know what they mean, how can you effectively set and maintain them in your daily life?
- Have self-awareness. To set boundaries, you must be in tune with your feelings and understand what you need. Take time to reflect on your emotional and physical comfort zones. This is an ideal activity during your luteal phase!
- Communicate, proactively. Be open and honest with others about your boundaries. Clearly voice your limits and expectations. This will help you avoid misunderstandings.
- Practice saying no. For some of us, that’s easier said than done. Ultimately, it’s normal (read: encouraged!) to decline requests or invitations that make you uncomfortable. Learning to say "no" is essential for establishing boundaries.
- Self-care. Prioritize your self-care routine to maintain your emotional and physical well-being. By doing so, you're better equipped to set and maintain boundaries.
- Respect others' boundaries. Just as you expect others to respect your boundaries, reciprocate by respecting theirs.
Practice makes progress
Ultimately, practice makes perfect progress. Exercising your boundaries is essential, especially when it comes to hormone health. To start your boundary-making process, begin with self-reflection. Journal what your needs and limits are. Reflect on your values, priorities, and what makes you uncomfortable in certain situations. Next, identify your boundaries. What are specific limits you want to establish in your life and relationships? Last but not least, be consistent. If you bend your boundaries too often, you’ll be walked all over.
Books on boundaries
Need reading inspo? We have you covered. These are our go-to books on boundaries.
The Joy of Saying No. Are you a people-pleaser? If so, this book is for you. It’ll help you identify your people-pleasing styles and habits. Through this framework, you’ll discover the transformative power of saying no and reconnecting with your authentic self.
Boundaries. This book continues to help millions of people answer these tough questions: can I set limits and still be a loving person? How do I effectively manage my digital life so that it doesn’t control me? Why do I feel guilty or afraid when I set boundaries?
Set Boundaries, Find Peace. Healthy boundaries. We all know we should have them—in order to achieve work/life balance, cope with toxic people, etc. But what do "healthy boundaries" really mean—and how can we successfully express our needs without offending others? This book answers all of that (and more).
Some of our favorites from this week
One of our favorite ways to honor our bodies is seed cycling. This is Kaya’s seed cycling snack this week.
A luteal phase favorite: warm chicken noodle soup.
Boundaries for each menstrual cycle phase
As mentioned, boundaries play a significant role in supporting hormonal balance. When you establish and maintain healthy boundaries, you reduce stress (cortisol). In turn, this helps maintain hormone homeostasis.
Unfortunately, when cortisol is chronically elevated, it can disrupt the balance of estrogen and progesterone. But by protecting our time, energy, and emotional well-being, we create a safe space for hormones to thrive. So, how can you set boundaries for each phase of your cycle?
Menstrual phase:
- Physical boundary: Establish a personal space for self-care and relaxation during your period to ensure you have time to rest.
- Emotional boundary: Communicate with your partner or loved ones about your emotional needs during this phase, such as needing more support or understanding.
Follicular phase:
- Physical boundary: Prioritize regular exercise and set boundaries around your workout routine to boost your physical well-being.
- Financial boundary: Create a budget or financial plan to ensure you allocate funds for personal health and wellness during this phase, whether it's for gym memberships, nourishing food, or self-care items.
Ovulatory phase:
- Physical boundary: Pay attention to your energy levels and set boundaries around your commitments to avoid overextending yourself during this phase.
- Emotional boundary: Communicate your emotional needs clearly, whether it's needing more intimacy or alone time, to maintain emotional balance during this time of heightened fertility.
Luteal Phase:
- Physical boundary: Set boundaries around your sleep schedule to ensure you get enough rest during the luteal phase—especially when PMS symptoms can impact your sleep quality.
- Emotional boundary: Communicate with friends, family, or colleagues about your mood fluctuations and emotional sensitivities during this phase, so they can provide understanding and support.
Our seed cycling blends can help you feel and do your best
Like clockwork! It's amazing what can happen when we honor our natural rhythms and support them with seed cycling. Check it out here!