Feeling Down? Getting to Know Your ‘Glimmers’ Could Help
By: Growth Era Counseling & Wellness
We often talk about “triggers” — those moments or experiences that activate stress, anxiety, or old patterns of fear. But what if there was a flip side?
Something that could gently guide your nervous system back toward calm, safety, and connection?
These are your glimmers — the opposite of triggers — and they’re equally important to understand.
The Science Behind Glimmers
As you move through the world each day, your nervous system is constantly scanning your environment for cues:
Is this safe? Should I be alert? Is this person trustworthy?
This process is called neuroception — a subconscious “sixth sense” that detects safety or danger before you’re even aware of it. When your nervous system senses threat, your fight, flight, or freeze response is activated. But when it detects safety, you enter what Polyvagal Theory calls the social engagement state — a space where you feel calm, connected, and open.
This is where glimmers come in.
The term “glimmers” refers to the small, fleeting moments that remind your body and mind you are safe — the micro-moments of joy, ease, and connection that help regulate your nervous system.
Identifying Your Triggers and Glimmers
Everyone’s triggers and glimmers are unique, shaped by your life experiences and nervous system patterns.
Triggers
Triggers are people, places, or experiences that make your body feel unsafe. They activate your defensive responses — fight, flight, or freeze.
You might notice your heart racing, tension in your muscles, or a sudden sense of unease.
Common triggers might include:
Raised voices
Financial stress or unexpected bills
Negative news stories or social media posts
Deadlines or work pressure
Feeling ignored or dismissed
Identifying your triggers is not about judgment — it’s about awareness. Once you know what activates your stress response, you can take steps to care for yourself before, during, and after those moments.
Glimmers
Glimmers are the opposite: cues of safety and connection that help your body return to balance.
They often appear in small, everyday experiences that bring warmth, calm, or a quiet sense of “everything’s okay.”
Examples might include:
Sunlight streaming through a window
The sound of laughter
Cuddling your pet
A kind word from a friend
The smell of your favorite meal
Listening to music you love
At first, glimmers can be subtle — easy to miss in a busy or stressful day. But with practice, you can train your mind and body to notice and savor them more often.
Why Glimmers Matter for Your Mental Health
Modern life can keep us stuck in a constant state of vigilance. The news cycle, social media, and everyday pressures all feed our body’s stress response — leaving us anxious, tired, or burnt out.
Glimmers help interrupt that pattern. They cue your parasympathetic nervous system — your body’s “rest and digest” mode — reminding you that it’s safe to slow down and breathe.
Over time, regularly noticing glimmers helps rewire your brain to seek safety, connection, and joy rather than threat. You begin to spend more time in balance — grounded, open, and resilient.
5 Ways to Find More Glimmers in Your Day
Ready to become a “glimmer seeker”? Here are five ways to start:
1. Set an Intention
Each morning, set a small intention to look for glimmers. You might tell yourself,
“Today, I’ll notice one thing that brings me calm or joy.”
No need to force it — simply stay open and curious.
2. Practice Mindfulness
Glimmers live in the present moment. When your mind is racing ahead or stuck in the past, it’s hard to see them.
Try starting or ending your day with a brief breathing exercise, mindful walk, or quiet cup of tea — anything that helps you tune into now.
3. Let the Good Feelings Land
When you notice a glimmer — a soft breeze, a kind smile, a warm mug in your hands — pause and truly take it in.
Notice how your body feels. Where do you sense calm or warmth? Let yourself rest in that feeling for a few breaths.
4. Start a Glimmer Journal
Write down your daily glimmers. It could be one sentence or a quick list.
Over time, you’ll start to see patterns — small anchors that reliably bring you peace and joy. This helps you intentionally weave them into your routine.
5. Share Your Glimmers
Connection deepens regulation. Share your glimmers with a friend, partner, or therapist.
Ask others what brings them joy. You might even start a “glimmer check-in” tradition with loved ones.
The Bottom Line
Identifying your triggers and glimmers won’t eliminate stress or difficult emotions — and that’s okay. These systems exist to protect you.
But being aware of what activates your threat response — and what brings you back to safety — gives you a greater sense of agency over your wellbeing.
Think of glimmers as breadcrumbs leading you back to balance.
The more you practice noticing them, the more resilient your nervous system becomes — gently rewiring itself to seek calm and connection instead of constant vigilance.
In a world that often moves too fast, glimmers remind us that safety, beauty, and peace still exist — even in the smallest of moments.
So, pause for a second.
Take a breath.
What’s one glimmer you can notice today?