Windows of Tolerance

Getting triggered is no fun. You may feel out of control, not like your true self, and unsure of what to do while feeling triggered. All of my clients know that I like to refer to the window of tolerance when speaking about triggers. What is the window of tolerance?

It is our own unique range that our nervous system operates between each day. When we have gone through difficult events in our lives our window of tolerance becomes smaller and smaller. Then, when something upsetting comes our way it is much easier to get triggered - which throws us outside of our window.

What does it look like when we are outside of our window of tolerance?

• Panic

• Rage

• Heightened Anxiety

• Physical symptoms - racing heart, sweaty palms, difficult breathing

• Extreme fatigue

• Freeze

• Collapse

We are unable to tolerate what is happening in front of us and so our fight/flight/freeze/appease system kicks into high alert in an attempt to protect us. By beginning to learn when we first start noticing the first inkling of a trigger (the first smallest sign) we are able to implement one of our coping resources before being thrown out of the window. What does being thrown out of the window look like for you personally? It can be different for each person and trust me when I say you're not alone. We all get triggered. Leave me a comment and let me know! I’d love to hear from you.

Yours in wellness & healing,

Angela

P.S. Want to receive these posts in once-a-week newsletter form before they hit the website? Sign up for my newsletter to be the first to receive them. You'll also get a FREE Body Scan Meditation!