The Mood RingWords our grandmothers didn’t have
Window of tolerance
The zone where you can handle what life hands you.
What it means
Your window of tolerance is the range where you can feel stress and still think clearly. Above the window, you feel anxious, angry or overwhelmed. Below it, you feel numb, shut down or checked out.
Everyone’s window is a different size, and it shrinks when you’re tired, hungry, grieving or stressed. The good news: it can grow.
What it can look like
- Going from fine to furious in seconds
- Shutting down in hard conversations
- Feeling like you can’t think straight when you’re stressed
- Needing a long time to calm down after conflict
One thing to try
Try a long exhale. Breathe in for 4, out for 6. A longer exhale is one of the fastest ways to tell your body it can come back into the window.
Where the term comes from
Psychiatrist Dr. Dan Siegel coined the term.
Want to check in with yourself right now? Try the 30-second mood check-in.
Related words
This is educational, not a diagnosis or therapy. If you’re struggling, find support here. In crisis in the U.S., call or text 988.
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