The Power of Saying “No”: Setting Healthy Boundaries

Article Level: A2

Explanation: This article explains why saying “no” is important for your health and happiness. It shows how setting healthy boundaries helps protect your time, energy, and feelings, and gives simple, polite ways to say “no” without feeling guilty.

Commonly Used Words from the Article

1. Boundary /ˈbaʊndəri/ (noun): A limit that shows where something ends.

   Setting a boundary helps protect your feelings.

2. Respect /rɪˈspɛkt/ (verb): To show care or honour for someone’s feelings.

   Good friends respect your choices.

3. Tired /ˈtaɪəd/ (adjective): Feeling the need to rest or sleep.

   I was too tired to go out last night.

4. Polite /pəˈlaɪt/ (adjective): Being kind and respectful in your words or actions.

   She gave a polite answer to say “no”.

5. Confident /ˈkɒnfɪdənt/ (adjective): Feeling sure of yourself and your abilities.

   He feels more confident after learning to say “no”.
   
   

          Audio File of the Article

The Power of Saying “No”: Setting Healthy Boundaries

Sometimes, it is hard to say “no”. We want to help others. We want to be kind. But if we say “yes” all the time, we can feel tired, stressed, and unhappy. Saying “no” is not a bad thing. It is important. It helps us take care of ourselves. This is called setting healthy boundaries.

A boundary is a line. It shows where something begins and ends. In life, boundaries help us protect our time, energy, and feelings. When we say “no”, we are putting a line in place. We are telling others what is okay and what is not okay for us.

For example, if your friend always asks for help with homework but never helps you, it is okay to say, “No, I can’t help you this time.” You are not being mean. You are being honest. You are thinking about your needs too.

Sometimes, people feel bad when they say “no”. They worry others will be angry or upset. But good friends and family will understand. They will respect your limits. Saying “no” is a way to show self-respect. It means you know what you need and you are not afraid to speak.

You can say “no” in a polite way. For example:

• “I’m sorry, I can’t do that right now.”

• “Thank you, but I need to rest.”

• “I’d like to help, but I have other plans.”

These are kind ways to say “no”. You do not need to explain everything. A simple answer is enough.

Setting healthy boundaries also helps your mental health. You have more time to relax, sleep, and do the things you enjoy. You feel more in control. You feel happier.

It takes practice to say “no”. Start with small things. Say “no” when you feel tired or busy. With time, it gets easier. You will feel stronger and more confident.

Remember, saying “no” does not make you a bad person. It means you care about yourself. And when you care about yourself, you can care for others better too.

Grammar Notes

This article mainly uses the present simple tense to talk about general truths and habits. For example:

• “Saying ‘no’ is not a bad thing.”

• “It helps us take care of ourselves.”

Mini Grammar Lesson – Present Simple Tense:
We use the present simple tense to talk about facts, habits, and regular actions.
Form:

• Positive: I/You/We/They help, He/She helps

• Negative: I do not (don’t) help, He does not (doesn’t) help

• Question: Do you help? Does he help?
  
  

Five Questions Based on the Article 

• • What does it mean to set healthy boundaries?

• Why is saying “no” sometimes difficult?

• Give one polite way to say “no”.

• How can setting boundaries help your mental health?

• Does saying “no” make you a bad person?

   

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