Creating healthy boundaries (health and care staff wellbeing)

This workshop is part of the Recovery College health and care staff wellbeing programme, which is available to people working in the Leeds Health and Care System, this includes: the NHS, primary and secondary care services, a Leeds based charity, or Leeds City Council.  

Creating healthy boundaries: 

Our personal boundaries often aren’t as visible or as defined a physical fence or a clear ‘no trespassing’ sign; instead, they tend to be more subtle and nuanced, making them harder to identify and articulate. We may only become aware of these boundaries when we experience an unsettling or uncomfortable sensation that signals one of them has been crossed. This feeling can serve as a vital indicator that our limits have been challenge, promoting us to reassess and redefine what we are comfortable with in various aspects of our lives. 

In recent times, many of us have encountered significant changes in our work environments, whether it’s adapting to home working, transitioning into new roles, or navigating the increasing reliance on digital communication which can shift the lines between our work, personal, and social boundaries.  

‘Boundaries are not about keeping people out. They’re about defining who you are and what you stand for’-Carolyn Spring.  

Boundaries aren’t meant to exclude others; they serve to clarify our identity and values. They function like an invisible line that delineates our identity, ownership, responsibilities, and limits. In times of stress and pressure, we may find ourselves overextending, over giving, and ultimately facing burnout. Assessing our boundaries and understanding our positions can significantly enhance our wellbeing.  

Establishing and upholding boundaries is important for self-care and supporting healthy relationships. Recognising that setting and maintaining our boundaries is not an act of selfishness or indifference; but a way to respect and prioritise our own needs and values, supports how we see ourselves and our wellbeing.  

In this workshop we will; 

• Create a space for personal reflection and group discussion; an opportunity to consider your work, social and personal boundaries, where your limits lie and how they may have shifted. 

• Explore self-respect and self-compassion; together we will look at the concepts of self-respect and self-compassion, discussing how we cultivate these qualities can empower us to develop boundaries that are not only effective but also aligned with our personal values and needs. 

• Share practical tips and techniques; we will explore a variety of practical strategies to help create and maintain healthy boundaries and discuss the actionable steps you can take to establish clearer limits, communicate them effectively, and uphold them in both professional and personal settings. 

With the support of Leeds Health and Care Academy, these experiential sessions have been developed exclusively for people who work in the NHS, local government, primary care, independent care providers and third sector organisations in Leeds.