National Wellness Month: Boundary Setting & Positive Daily Habits

This month is National Wellness Month and it’s a great time to re-focus on what makes us ‘well’ on the inside and out. At Columbia Community Mental Health (CCMH), we know that self-care is not selfish; it’s essential to our survival. Protecting your peace and well-being through setting intentional and clear boundaries, saying no when you need to, and taking time to rest is not a luxury. These are building blocks of long-term mental, physical, and emotional health.

Why do boundaries matter?

Boundaries are invisible (but very important!) lines that help us guard our peace, energy, prevent us from burning out, and teach those around us how to respect us. Setting boundaries can look like:

• Saying no to new responsibilities or tasks when your plate or capacity is already full
• Going on a social media or news break when things in the world feel like too much
• Restricting work emails after business hours
• Carving out time each day for yourself alone

Boundaries aren’t walls, but they’re actually bridges to help us form better relationships with ourselves and others.

Positive habits you can do daily for your mind, body, and soul

Genuine self-care involves caring for ALL of you, including your mind, body, and your spirit. These habits don’t have to be dramatic to still make a huge difference. Sometimes, it’s the more subtle, daily rituals that keep us grounded when life becomes overwhelming or uncertain. Take a look at these ideas below and see what you can implement within your daily routine to foster a calmer life and positive well-being:

- Before you reach for your phone in the morning, say one thing you’re thankful for or set one realistic, manageable goal for the day.

- Move your body in a way that feels good for you! This could look like stretching, going on a walk, or just taking some deep breaths while at your desk.

- Take small mindful pauses throughout your day to make your favorite drink, get some fresh air outside, or just gaze at the clouds and clear your mind for a few minutes.

- Check in with yourself and truly ask, “how am I really doing?”. Listen to your needs and approach them with kindness and honesty.

- Reach out to someone you know just to check in and send a “thinking of you” message; this can brighten both of your days!

Protecting your peace isn’t optional… it’s crucial!

When you prioritize what you need, you make a clear, strong statement that your wellness is important. Applaud the habits and boundaries that care for you, especially on days when things are difficult. Exercising self-care and wellness truly helps build resilience and reinforces respect within ourselves.

Your support system at CCMH

We are all going to have bad days, but no one should have to navigate these alone. If you’re having trouble establishing boundaries, creating healthier habits within your life, or just struggling with stress or anxiety management, CCMH is always here to support you. Our team of professionals provides counseling and resources created to assist every aspect of your unique journey and well-being. Contact us anytime to share your needs and explore how we can help.

This National Wellness Month, prioritize your needs, listen to your body and boundaries, and remember that self-care is the first step to showing up fully for others. You got this!