Being assertive is standing up for yourself in a positive way. Assertive communication can have a great impact on your physical, mental, and social health.  Being assertive in necessary situations can help protect your physical health because you can stop and say no to anything that might physically harm you. For instance, your friends parents are going out of town and they invited to go shooting with the father’s gun but you have no training. An assertive person will deny the invitation knowing that they can harm not only themselves, but others. Assertive communication can physically improve you health because you understand the use of body language. Assertive communication can protect you mental health because is can help you say no you the bad influences of others and your surrounding environment. Lastly, being assertive can help protect you social health because your peers will see you can hold your own and will not just do anything. Overall assertive communication can make or break your health.

4 Steps to Increase Assertiveness

1. Start Small: First try being assertive in minor situations. Trying to be too assertive right away may make you seem too overpowering. Then gently work up to tougher situations.

2. Learn to say no:  People may worry that saying no is selfish. It’s not. Setting healthy limits and boundaries is important to having healthy relationships

3. Let go of guilt: Although being assertive tough, it is vital to your well-being and will pay off in the long run. If you start to get nervous and start thinking negative things, deep breathing helps ease your worries and anxiety. 

4. Express your feelings thoroughly: People may not able to automatically know what you say or need from them. This is why it is important to articulate yourself and be clear as well as straight forward. This will increase the amount of respect and understand you receive from the person.