What Are Glimmers?

What Are Glimmers?

Have you ever been captivated by a breathtaking sunset? Or paused to relish a child’s laughter, the sweetness of your favorite fruit, or the gentle breeze against your skin? If so, you’ve encountered glimmers. When you take a moment to recognize and savor these joyful experiences, your mental health and nervous system reap the benefits. Learning to identify glimmers can enhance your well-being and alleviate stress.

Glimmers are those small, often overlooked moments that evoke feelings of joy, peace, and gratitude. They can arise from simple daily experiences like petting a dog, enjoying a warm shower, feeling the soft grass between your toes or listening to the soothing sound of rain outside your window. The term “glimmers” was introduced by Deb Dana, a licensed clinical social worker who focuses on complex trauma. In her 2018 book, The Polyvagal Theory in Therapy, Dana emphasizes that glimmers are not grand events; rather, they are “micro moments that gently shape our system.”

Glimmers vs. Triggers
The key distinction between glimmers and triggers lies in their emotional impact. Glimmers bring forth positive feelings, while triggers tend to elicit negative ones. Glimmers activate the parasympathetic nervous system, inducing calm and relaxation.
Conversely, triggers engage the sympathetic nervous system, leading to a “fight or flight” response in perceived threats. Thus, glimmers and triggers function as opposites. Triggers can provoke rapid feelings of agitation, anxiety, or sadness, often disproportionate to the situation, as they relate to unresolved trauma.
In contrast, glimmers serve as cues—either internal or external—that uplift your mood and instill feelings of safety and happiness. Seeking glimmers encourages a mindfulness practice, allowing you to appreciate the positives in your environment and stay grounded in the present moment.

Examples of Glimmers
Glimmers come in many forms, but they are generally small, everyday moments rather than significant life milestones. Here are some examples:
• Spotting a rainbow
• Hearing your favorite song in a store
• Feeling the sun’s warmth on your skin
• Receiving a hug just when you need it
• Enjoying a phone call from a friend
• Stopping to smell blooming flowers
• Relishing the sensation of sand between your toes at the beach
• Savoring your morning coffee or afternoon tea
• Listening to birds chirping nearby
• Looking at a cherished photo of a loved one
• Watching a child laugh or a puppy play
• Appreciating a barista’s smile as they hand you your coffee
• Enjoying a compliment about your new haircut or outfit
• Gazing at stars on a clear night or watching snow fall quietly.

The Mental Health Benefits of Glimmers
By consciously practicing the art of noticing both the ordinary and extraordinary gifts in life, you shift your focus from danger to beauty. This change can have a profound impact on your mental health over time. Glimmers help counteract stress, bringing your awareness back to the present. When you focus on appreciating glimmers, you may feel less anxious and more motivated to pursue your goals. For those experiencing depression, glimmers can illuminate the darkness, highlighting the positive aspects of life.
While cherishing glimmers is not a substitute for therapy, it can have significant cumulative benefits for your mental well-being. Research suggests that even brief positive emotions can foster personal growth and strengthen social connections.
Additionally, glimmers help regulate your nervous system. By consistently recognizing and valuing these moments, you can build emotional resilience and reduce the overactivity of your nervous system. This promotes a state of safety and connection, especially beneficial for those with a dysregulated nervous system. In our overstimulated world, glimmers can restore balance and harmony.

Setting a Glimmer Intention
To become more attuned to glimmers, set an intention to invite them into your life. This may be challenging if you struggle with mental health issues, trauma, or a tendency toward negative thinking. Start small by identifying just one glimmer each day. Open yourself to the possibility of glimmers and allow yourself to notice them throughout your day. If you pay attention, you’ll discover that glimmers are abundant.

Key Takeaways
• Glimmers are small moments of joy or peace derived from appreciating simple pleasures like a rainbow, a flower’s fragrance, or the sound of rain.
• Glimmers and triggers are opposites: glimmers spark positive emotions while triggers provoke negative ones.
• Practicing the recognition of glimmers can help your nervous system relax and positively influence your mental health.
• To increase your chances of noticing glimmers, spend time in nourishing environments, connect with uplifting people, limit screen time, and practice mindfulness.