Why boxing?

Our window of tolerance is the regular state of being during which we can optimally function. When inside our window of tolerance, we are able to emotionally self-regulate. Even if something challenging happens, we can stay grounded, open, curious, and flexible. We can remain in the present moment and respond accordingly. Physically, we have steady breathing, a regular heart rate, and loose muscles.

When we face a traumatic experience, we may move outside of our window of tolerance (to hyperarousal or hypoarousal). When we go into hyperarousal we feel overwhelmed, stressed, angry, irritable, and hypervigilant. In contrast, we can sometimes go into hypoarousal, which can show up as symptoms of depression and feelings of hopelessness and shame. We become withdrawn from others.

Ideally, you want to maintain yourself within your window of tolerance as often as possible so that you can respond optimally to various situations. Unfortunately, what happens to a lot of us, particularly those of us who have experienced trauma throughout our life, is that our mind/bodies move out of that window of tolerance when presented with even minor life stressors, because our brain can't tell the difference between extreme and minor stress.

Boxing is actually a form of meditation and one way to practice staying within your window of tolerance.