Soothing The Nervous System
Window Of Tolerance
The Window of Tolerance is a concept from trauma and nervous system theory that describes the optimal zone where we can function, process emotions, and respond to stress in a balanced way. When we’re within this window, we feel regulated, grounded, and capable of handling life’s challenges. Outside of it, we may go into hyperarousal (anxious, overwhelmed, tense) or hypoarousal (numb, shut down, disconnected).
With pain and chronic symptoms, the nervous system often becomes more sensitive and reactive, which can narrow this window. Pain itself can act as a stressor that pushes someone outside of their window, making it harder to think clearly, stay emotionally regulated, or engage with daily life. Over time, this can create a cycle where pain leads to stress, which increases sensitivity to pain, keeping the nervous system in a constant state of threat.
By building awareness of your window, you can catch signs of dysregulation early and use tools to bring yourself back into balance, helping you live more fully even while healing from chronic pain. As the nervous system begins to regulate using the tools from this module, we can expand this window and take on more challenges in life. Use this image as a guide to have compassion for the moments you feel overwhelmed. This does not mean you are an irritable person, it just might mean we have expanded past what we are able to tolerate.