How Long Does An Emotion Last?

The 90-second rule: neuroanatomist Jill Bolte Taylor noted that when a person has a reaction to a trigger, the chemical flush lasts only 90 seconds. It is also suggested that it could take 2 to 3 minutes for the hormones to die down, even if the mind is completely blank and calm.

The point is that an emotion doesn’t last – unless we hold on to it.
An emotion’s true value lies in non-attachment.
Then we are free … and so is the other person. 🙂

Even if physical hormones take longer than 90 seconds to fade, a pause frees us from typing an angry email immediately, or becoming aggressive in an argument.

This helps us distinguish between the automatic biological surge, and a conscious choice of consequences. When we actually watch our experience of an emotion, we see it fade – unless we choose to make it last. And then it could last lifetime.

We may be left with a feeling; this could be either objective or subjective, depending on our habitual attitude.

Objective: through our senses, we notice something about a person that is verifiable.

Subjective: if we hold an idea about a person, that is our interpretation.

The first instant of an emotion is actually wisdom, as consciousness brightens up by noticing that something isn’t right. We just have to learn to let go, which is good for our wellbeing … and the wellbeing of those around us.:-)