The window of tolerance

The window of tolerance is the range of arousal within which a person can stay in balance and carry their experience. According to this concept, named by the psychiatrist Dan Siegel, while within this window a person can both think and feel; they are neither overaroused nor collapsed. When one rises above the window, hyperarousal begins; when one falls below it, hypoarousal. One aim of somatic work is to support staying within this window and widening it over time. When a person stays within their window, they can accompany even difficult experiences without scattering.