Learning how to re-establish personal limits
We all walk around with our own tolenerance levels of how we take in the world and how we decide to interact in the world. Pat Ogden has come up with the name "Window of Tolerance" because this window, like those in our homes, can open further than we exercise.
How can we grow tolerance? First, we have to recognize the way we interact in the world and how we prefer to live. Some people like to remain quiet and not engage with people, some will engage with people and avoid confrontation at all cost, some will engage and effectively communicate with people, and yet others react defensively and often with anger. These are only a few categories, but figuring out your primary modus operandi in the world will allow you to investigate how to increase your tolerance and ability to handle situations you might otherwise shy away from presently.
Some tools to explore to increase your tolerance include meditation, therapy (talk, Rolfing, massage, skin care), motion (to release any pent up energies) which could inlcude
We all walk around with our own tolenerance levels of how we take in the world and how we decide to interact in the world. Pat Ogden has come up with the name "Window of Tolerance" because this window, like those in our homes, can open further than we exercise.
How can we grow tolerance? First, we have to recognize the way we interact in the world and how we prefer to live. Some people like to remain quiet and not engage with people, some will engage with people and avoid confrontation at all cost, some will engage and effectively communicate with people, and yet others react defensively and often with anger. These are only a few categories, but figuring out your primary modus operandi in the world will allow you to investigate how to increase your tolerance and ability to handle situations you might otherwise shy away from presently.
Some tools to explore to increase your tolerance include meditation, therapy (talk, Rolfing, massage, skin care), motion (to release any pent up energies) which could inlcude
- yoga
- dancing
- working out
- walking
- stretching
- yard work or house work.
According to Ogden, humor is a lovely way to diffuse your visceral reaction to any deep aversions you may have. Not necessarily in the moment, but when you're reflecting on your experience later, you may find poking a little fun at yourself a great way to take some of the sting out of the situation. When you're able to see the lighter side of your humanity, you are better able to diffuse the intensity of emotion. This way when you are up against your challenging moment, you can better
adapt and create the moment as you WOULD have it rather than
the moment controlling you.
To read more about healing trauma or discovering new ways of being two great books I suggest are:
and
May your tolerance be high and you compassion for yourself be large!!!
Copyright 2010 Heather Corwin
