Times of transition can be uncomfortable, causing feelings of anxiety to become more frequent and intense.
With the vaccine becoming readily available to larger groups, more and more people are shifting their opinions about appropriate activities after receiving first and second doses of the vaccination. Setting boundaries with friends and family can ease this transition back to normalcy. This means creating guidelines for activities so the resident feels comfortable, which can help alleviate feelings of anxiety when spending time with loved one's.
Setting Healthy Boundaries Within Your Community
Here are some helpful tips to remember when setting boundaries with members of your community:
- Be Compassionate - When setting boundaries it’s very important to be respectful of everyone involved. Be sure to take an empathetic posture in communicating with your friends and family by using “I” statements and showing appreciation for other people’s perspectives.
- Be Genuine - Explain why you are choosing to create these boundaries and provide ways that your family and friends can support you throughout this transitional period. It's also helpful to do personal research to solidify these boundaries as your own.
- Be Bold - Setting boundaries can be an emotional activity requiring immense courage to be vulnerable. However, it’s important to stand firm in your decisions that you’ve made to protect your physical and mental health. Consider other people's opinions, but don't let someone close to you persuade you into participating in an activity you feel uncomfortable with.
- Be Detailed - The less confusion surrounding boundaries the more effective they will be. Provide specific details about which behavior is appropriate or inappropriate and why you’ve come to that conclusion. It can also be helpful to set a timeline for boundaries that may be altered in the future.
We hope you find these strategies helpful in navigating relationships during these uncertain times. Additionally, please consider referring residents to your faculty psychologist if this process becomes overwhelming.