What Are Examples of Boundaries?

This may include your body, your home, your workspace, your things

The examples of different types of boundaries may include:

Physical boundaries:

• This may include your body, your home, your workspace, your things (such as purse or wallet). 
• For example, a friend going through your purse or wallet is a violation of physical boundaries.

Sexual boundaries:

• A sexual boundary is how far we are willing to take what we do sexually or physically.
• For example, some people enjoy oral sex, whereas others do not. Sometimes our sexual boundaries might be pushed or probed by a sexual partner asking us to perform something sexually that we are not comfortable doing.
• It is fine and healthy to inquire about a partner’s sexual limits and desires. As sexual beings, we have the right to say no to things that make us uncomfortable.

Relationship boundaries:

• Relational boundaries are those that are in place for the various types of relationships that you have in your life.
• For example, your relationship with a bus driver you see regularly is quite different from the relationship you have with your best friend.
• Relationship boundaries vary dramatically from person to person and can be big or small.
• An important thing to remember is that it is fine to be somewhat flexible with different people under different circumstances.

Legal boundaries:

• When a person hears the term legal boundary, they often think on property lines (invisible lines that separate property).
• Legal boundaries are about more than just property, they are about the legal restrictions that affect our daily lives.
• When we are walking or driving somewhere, we do stop at a red light.
• There is a legal boundary that says we cannot go through a red light or we risk the consequences of paying a ticket or even getting into an accident.

Emotional boundaries:

• Knowing about our emotions is helpful. There are times when it is in your best interest to control your emotional behavior, releasing them in a different way or at a different time and place.
• For example, shouting, yelling, and swearing at work. Even if your reason for feeling angry is justified, this outburst may get you fired or you may be asked to leave.
• Controlling emotional behaviors can also be important for times when you are feeling something traditionally thought of as positive.
• For example, you are excited about something, but your friend is very upset about something else.

Mental boundaries:

• Mental boundaries define our thoughts and opinions, allowing us to choose what we think about and stop ourselves from thinking about other things.
• Additionally, as we form opinions, we have the freedom to analyze a situation. We gather the information to integrate into the assessment and make our resulting opinion.
• For example, we support a certain team because it makes us feel like we are a part of a community.
• This sense of community is a value that matters to some people more than others. Furthermore, when trying to explain team sports to a person (who is not from your community), you must explain the value we put on winning and losing.
• When you think like a tour guide, you are forced to take a deeper look at the things we do and things we value.
• They do not always sound logical or true from a different point of view.

Technological boundaries:

• It is easy to be plugged in 24/7. However, if we are, then this can really hurt our relationships and ability to connect with ourselves. 
• It is good to break free from our devices. You could put it away at the same time every night, or you could keep the weekends unplugged.