Setting boundaries at work is often hard to do, especially if it’s frowned upon at certain organizations. That makes it hard to address the impact of not having them - or worse yet, chronically breaking unspoken, unclear ones. Yet, they are a must for long-term self-preservation - and for better productivity.

Here, we share some of our top tips on how to approach the prickly subject.

Where are we now?

• Setting boundaries shapes one’s career and relationships at work - why they’re critical.

• Healthy boundaries - including physical, emotional and mental limits - are key to preventing burnout and helping us maintain a healthy relationship with our work.

• But such boundaries come with the risk of friction with our bosses and colleagues, possibly missing out on promotions or even losing our job.

What can you do?

• Building effective boundaries takes time and patience. It may be hard in the beginning, but it’ll help you get more done in the long run.

• Set realistic boundaries by identifying what needs to change, then communicating that to your personal and professional stakeholders.

• There will inevitably be pushback so be clear why those boundaries are necessary, and how they will ultimately benefit the team, the organization and you.

What's next?

• Setting work boundaries is an ongoing effort - keep working at it!

• If people push these boundaries (and they will!),  have a rebuttal plan in your back pocket ahead of time so that you aren’t caught off guard.

Remember, when work-related pressures increase, self-care is often the first to go. But if we forgo our physical and mental health, our stress and anxiety will mount and our overall well-being will dwindle. Looking at the big picture, setting self-respecting boundaries is key to balancing work and personal life over the long run.