01/08/2026
Ever feel like your emotions are either overwhelming or completely shut down with no in-between?
That experience isn’t “just you”, it’s connected to a concept in trauma and mental health called the Window of Tolerance.
The Window of Tolerance is the range where your nervous system can handle stress, stay regulated, and respond thoughtfully, not react in fight-or-flight or numb shutdown. When you’re inside this window, you can think clearly, manage emotions, and engage with others. Trauma, chronic stress, and past experiences can narrow this window, making everyday challenges feel overwhelming or leaving you disconnected.
Understanding your Window of Tolerance isn’t just educational, it’s empowering. By learning how hyperarousal and hypoarousal show up in your life and developing tools to self-regulate, you can expand your capacity to cope, respond, and heal.