The Window of Tolerance

The window of tolerance is a helpful way to make sense of what we are experiencing when we're are effected by trauma, stress and the subsequent emotional dysregulation.

For people who have experienced trauma, the window of tolerance narrows and we can shift into the hypo/hyper arousal states.

People may 'space out' and dissociate, or get angry or anxious in an attempt to focus.

They may then fluctuate between the areas outside of the window of tolerance -  hyperarousal (high anxiety and alert) and hypoarousal (numb, withdrawal and restricted functioning) states.

When you are in a 'good place'  you are more able to think rationally and respond to challenge and difficult day to day experiences using calm and measured responses - this is functioning within the window of tolerance.

We can practice widening our window of tolerance by utilising self care, breathing techniques, reflective practice to facilitate self awareness at times of high stress.

Its worth noting that if you have experienced significant trauma, childhood stress and adversity it can be helpful to work with a therapist to support this work as it can feel very difficult to regulate oneself if we have not experienced co-regulation first, ie with a primary caregiver.