I recently learned of the 90 second rule made popular by Dr Jill Bolte Taylor. It essentially demonstrates the stress response lasts 90 seconds on average without rumination or mental involvement to keep it going. Think a loved one scares you and activates sympathetic nervous system. About 90 seconds later physiologic response will return to baseline. All the benefits of fight or flight can be extended when safety is one the line to keep adrenaline up but more often than not these days, stressors are not like for death. Rumination keeps us in that sympathetic cycle without adequate recovery leading to burnout as you beautifully described in this post. 90 seconds rule was an empowering piece of evidence for me as it highlights an opportunity for effective intervention to encourage recovery from stress so we can rationally respond to stressors and keep moving with some of your great suggestions.
I recently learned of the 90 second rule made popular by Dr Jill Bolte Taylor. It essentially demonstrates the stress response lasts 90 seconds on average without rumination or mental involvement to keep it going. Think a loved one scares you and activates sympathetic nervous system. About 90 seconds later physiologic response will return to baseline. All the benefits of fight or flight can be extended when safety is one the line to keep adrenaline up but more often than not these days, stressors are not like for death. Rumination keeps us in that sympathetic cycle without adequate recovery leading to burnout as you beautifully described in this post. 90 seconds rule was an empowering piece of evidence for me as it highlights an opportunity for effective intervention to encourage recovery from stress so we can rationally respond to stressors and keep moving with some of your great suggestions.
Good piece Jeff 👊🏻
That’s great, I’ve never heard of that before. Thanks for sharing that, Kyle!