Emotions are scary. Especially the negative ones. No one wants to feel them. We fear we'll feel them forever, cry forever, if we experience them. We bury our sadness, stuff our anger, crowd out our fear. And, yet, new research by neuroanatomist, Jill Bolte Taylor, Ph.D., suggests that it only takes 90 seconds, yes, just 1 and 1/2 minutes -- or less -- to experience the chemical process running through our body.
Taylor calls it "The 90 Second Rule."
Say you're feeling anxious about an upcoming review at work or a school paper. Rather than focusing on the story of the anxiety, focus instead on the feeling. You can focus on body sensations, or just the sense of being anxious. You can time yourself, have someone time you, or just estimate the time. Breathe deeply.
Keep focusing on the feeling, accepting it all. If your mind wanders, bring it back to focusing on the feeling. The feeling might initially increase. Then, it fades. That is, unless you're replaying the story or narrative around the event. But, why would you want to strengthen the neural pathways in your brain which create unhappiness when you can experience relief?
Most people, in under 90 seconds, experience relief and openness; no need to feel scared of the big, "bad" feelings anymore.
It's empowering!
