1. Saying no is good for your health.
A tendency to overcommit can take a heavy toll on your health. As a result, research has proven — shutting down our immune and digestive systems, leading to chronic unresolved inflammation, coronary disease, obesity, type-2 diabetes, and other major health risks. After reading that list, don't you feel like repeating "No" in the mirror a few hundred times just to practice?
2. Saying no is part of setting healthy boundaries.
Simply put (and we all know this), if we don't set boundaries, we're going to run ourselves ragged. And then we're no good to anyone. (Trust us on this one... we've been guilty of this.)
How to say No
Just in case you need a little help, here are a few steps you can take to help you say no effectively:
Set yourself a little goal to say no when you would normally say yes. Set a small target such as saying no once a week and then increase the amount as you gain more confidence.
If you are a dedicated people-pleaser you will often feel nervous or guilty when you first start saying no to other people. So don't fear the 'uncomfortable feeling' when you start to be more assertive. Praise yourself instead and tell yourself that it only feels strange because you are choosing a new positive habit.
Remind yourself that saying no to other people can actually mean saying yes to yourself.
You don't have to justify your no with a reason. Just state no firmly, and if you need to, repeat yourself until he/she gets the message.
Give up the need to gain everyone's approval. This is one of the main reasons that we end up agreeing to do things that we don't really want to do. The people who respect you will also respect that fact that it is ok to say no.
In order to avoid being overcommitted, take it from us (and the anti-drug campaign from back in elementary school), "Just say No!"