You’ve heard of triggers. But what if there were a psychological concept that worked in the opposite way? One that made you feel safe, calm, even joyful? This is where glimmers come in.
From therapy TikTok to wellness blogs, it’s a quietly powerful idea that’s beginning to reshape how we think about emotional wellbeing. But what exactly is a glimmer, and why are we all craving them so much right now?
What is a glimmer?
Think of a glimmer as a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moment that makes your nervous system relax. It could be the scent of sun-warmed lavender. The first sip of a perfectly made coffee. A burst of birdsong as you head into the day. Glimmers are tiny cues of safety, comfort or connection that create a subtle internal shift out of fight-or-flight, into something more grounded.
The term was coined by therapist Deb Dana, whose work builds on Polyvagal Theory, a framework for understanding how our nervous systems respond to the world around us. Just as a trigger can activate stress or anxiety, a glimmer activates the parasympathetic nervous system, sending the body a quiet message: you’re okay here.
Why glimmers are having a moment
Glimmers offer something beautifully small and human. They’re a reminder that wellbeing isn’t always found in sweeping lifestyle overhauls or productivity hacks, but in the everyday moments that ground us.
They also reflect a shift in how we talk about mental health. As awareness grows, so does the appetite for tools that are gentle, embodied and accessible. Glimmers are exactly that. They don’t ask you to fix yourself. They just invite you to notice what’s already good.
Glimmers in the wild: what they look like IRL
There’s a huge range of potential glimmers. They won’t all appeal to everyone, but here are some examples to get you started:
- Scent: Freshly cut grass, clean laundry, spraying on a fragrance you save for special occasions.
- Touch: The feeling when your dog nestles against you, running your hands over silk, holding a cold drink on a hot day.
- Hearing: A song pops up on your Spotify playlist that you’d forgotten even existed, your favourite ASMR sounds, the splash when you dive into a swimming pool.
- Sight: Opening the bedroom blinds to a soft blue sky, a genuine smile from a stranger, a WhatsApp notification from your best friend.
Glimmers can be found anywhere: on your commute, in a song lyric, even in the rhythm of a good workout. The trick is learning to spot them when they arrive, and to let them land.
How to find your own glimmers
The beauty of glimmers is that they’re personal. There’s no universal formula, but if you want to start spotting them, here’s what to try:
- Tune into your senses: What sounds, scents, textures or tastes bring you a subtle sense of peace or joy?
- Notice your body: A glimmer might show up as your shoulders dropping, your breathing slowing or even a quiet smile.
- Start a ‘glimmer list’: Jot down small moments that made you feel soft, connected or safe. Even noticing one or two a day can help rewire your awareness.
- Don’t chase big feelings: This isn’t about euphoric highs. It’s about the tiniest shifts that gently recalibrate your mood.
Why glimmers matter more than you think
Beyond the buzzword, glimmers are rooted in real science. They help regulate the nervous system, creating micro-moments of safety that build long-term emotional resilience. When we start to notice them, we build awareness. That awareness can shift the way we move through our lives.
No major transformation. No resolution needed. Just a flicker of calm in the noise.
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