Day 11: Window of Tolerance Check

Day 11: Window of Tolerance Check

When stressed:

• Am I overwhelmed or numb?

Journal:

What brings me back to center?

When you begin to feel stressed, set a timer for five minutes and practice mindful awareness of your internal state. Sit quietly and ask yourself: Am I feeling overwhelmed and hyperactivated, or shut down and numb? Notice physical cues, racing heart, shallow breathing, tight muscles, or alternatively heaviness, fatigue, or emotional detachment. Without judgment, simply observe where you fall within your window of tolerance. During these five minutes, allow your breath to slow naturally and track subtle shifts in sensation. Afterward, reflect on what reliably helps you return to center. Is it movement, stepping outside, connection with someone safe, structured breathing, silence, or sensory grounding? The goal is to build literacy around your stress patterns so you can intervene earlier and more effectively.

Mountain Reflection: When climbing, knowing whether you are pushing too hard or losing momentum entirely determines your next move. Are you overexerting on steep terrain, or have you stalled in thin air? What deliberate adjustment helps you regain balance and continue the ascent with steadiness rather than strain?