Have you ever heard about the “Window of Tolerance”? Coined by Dr. Dan Siegel, it refers to the optimal zone where we handle life’s ups and downs most effectively.
Inside this window, you can regulate your emotions smoothly, stay centered, and engage with life adaptively, accessing your brain’s logical reasoning.
Life’s inevitable mini traumas—like hurt, fear, and triggers—can momentarily push us out of this window. Typically, we bounce back quickly.
The journey through this window is not static; it’s normal to fluctuate within it, as represented by a wavy line in diagrams.
Trauma and insecure attachment styles can narrow this window, making our nervous system prone to overreactions. When overwhelmed, we might shift into HYPERAROUSAL (fight or flight) or HYPOAROUSAL (freeze). During these times, our prefrontal cortex—our center for cognitive processing—takes a backseat, leading to dysregulation.
Each of us has a unique window of tolerance. Those with a narrower window may view themselves as more emotionally volatile or difficult.
Trauma can force someone out of their window, leading to long-term challenges like depression or anxiety.
Stay tuned as we delve deeper into hypo and hyperarousal in the coming days. Learn how to recognise these states and expand your window of tolerance.
Big love, Jen
