Have you ever felt overwhelmed by stress or, conversely, entirely numb to the world around you? These states of heightened anxiety or complete shutdown can indicate that you’ve moved outside your "window of tolerance." This concept, first introduced by Dr. Dan Siegel, describes the zone in which we can effectively process and respond to life’s challenges. When within this window, we feel balanced, present, and capable of managing our emotions. When outside it, our nervous system may swing into hyperarousal (fight or flight) or hypoarousal (freeze or collapse).

The good news? Your window of tolerance is not fixed. With intentional effort, you can expand it, increasing your capacity to handle stress, process emotions, and thrive in challenging circumstances. Here’s a deeper look into what the window of tolerance is and how you can grow yours.