What is the Window of Tolerance and Why is it Important?

What Is the Window of Tolerance?

When a person is within their window of tolerance, it is generally the case that the brain is functioning well and can effectively process stimuli. That person is likely to be able to reflect, think rationally, and make decisions calmly without feeling either overwhelmed or withdrawn. Typically I describe this place of calm as being in "Wise Mind".

During times of extreme stress, people often experience periods of either hyper- or hypo-arousal.

• Hyper-arousal, otherwise known as the fight/flight response, is often characterized by hypervigilance, feelings of anxiety and/or panic, and racing thoughts.

• Hypo-arousal, or a freeze response, may cause feelings of emotional numbness, emptiness, or paralysis.

In either of these states, an individual may become unable to process stimuli effectively. The prefrontal cortex region of the brain shuts down, in a manner of speaking, affecting the ability to think rationally and often leading to the development of feelings of dysregulation, which may take the form of chaotic responses or overly rigid ones. In these periods, a person can be said to be outside the window of tolerance.

Getting back into the Window of Tolerance requires the practice of coping skills. Such as practicing mindfulness, deep breathing, positive affirmations, self-soothing skills, and yoga to name a few options.

Notice how your body responds to things differently as you begin to calm down, and then again when fully calm, and finally see how you can challenge yourself to stay within the Window of Tolerance the next time you face stress and/or uncomfortable feelings.  

Where to look

When our emotions get the best of us, we often struggle to utilize our logic/reason to help us solve problems or create opportunities for ourselves. We may forget to utilize what we already know, and who we typically look to for advice or help.

With that said here are some ideas you may have not considered:

Your community; whether that is your yoga buddies, your co-workers, your online communities, the PTA, your running club, or your book club.

(Now you don't have to share your problems with these communities if that's not what you want to do, but what you can do is strike up a conversation about therapists or groups that they may be aware of. Your network is potentially endless when you start the conversation that will help you get your needs met.)

Your access to the internet opens up doors you don't even know exist, look at websites like Thumbtack, Craigslist, Facebook, Twitter, or Psychology Today to name a few.

Your old fashion newspaper; look up support groups, or therapists in the classifieds or even the "things to do section" of the paper

Shop for a therapist or a group counseling like you would a car, there are many options out there, and if the first one doesn't feel right, or isn't in your price range, find someone who is. Also remember that you're worth the time and cost to attend services, if you don't make an investment in yourself, how can you invest in other things in your life?