Dwan Brennan, MFT

01/14/2026

01/10/2026

Psychologists emphasize the window of tolerance because it explains why people may struggle to cope even with small triggers during high stress periods. Trauma, chronic stress, burnout, and lack of emotional safety can narrow this window over time. The good news is that research shows the window can expand through practices like emotional regulation, grounding techniques, therapy, secure relationships, and nervous system awareness.

The window of tolerance is a core concept in psychology that explains how the nervous system handles stress, emotions, and daily challenges. It refers to the optimal zone where your brain and body function at their best. When you are inside this window, you can think clearly, regulate emotions, communicate effectively, and respond rather than react.

When stress pushes you above this window, the nervous system enters a state of hyperarousal. This can show up as anxiety, racing thoughts, irritability, panic, or emotional overwhelm. When stress pulls you below the window, the body shifts into hypoarousal, often experienced as numbness, exhaustion, disconnection, brain fog, or shutdown. Both states are survival responses rooted in neurobiology, not personal weakness.

12/18/2021

Despite our obsession with s*x, American culture doesn’t really encourage nakedness (physically or emotionally). And if all the pleasantries and social constructs we use weren’t bad enough, we add social media into the mix and distance each other even further. When we're naked and silent, all of...

01/20/2021

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

01/01/2021

So on point. Addiction solves a compelling problem long before it starts creating its own

This is the severe challenge of recovery.

12/05/2020

Powerful, simple

11/13/2020

The

10/29/2020

Getting enough truly restful sleep is imperative for healthy functioning & can even help lessen the development of PTSD

Increasing the amount of time spent asleep immediately after a traumatic experience may ease any negative consequences, suggests a new study conducted by researchers. The study helps build a case for use of sleep therapeutics following trauma exposure. The finding holds promise for populations that....