How to Stop Feeding Your Emotional Monster

Ever feel like you’re trapped in an emotional loop? It’s not just you, it’s your brain playing tricks on you.

Neuroanatomist Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor describes the chemical lifespan of an emotion in the body as roughly 90 seconds. Once the initial physiological trigger flushes out, the wave crests and passes. This is a natural, chemical process. If you're continuing to stew on it, this is your choice.

​So why do we stay angry for hours? Because we keep "re-triggering" the loop by obsessing over the story. To break the cycle, try these two steps:

• Physical Redirection:  Engage your senses immediately. Splash cold water on your face or do 10 jumping jacks to shift your physiology.
• Cognitive Labeling: Instead of "I'm angry," label it, "I'm experiencing the sensation of anger." This creates distance between you and the feeling.

The challenge isn’t the feeling; it’s the thinking. Stop feeding the fire and let the wave pass.

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