In a world that often feels overwhelming, we've become familiar with the concept of "triggers" - those stimuli that activate our stress responses and thrust us back into past traumas. But what about the opposite experience? What happens when something unexpectedly brings us joy, peace, or a sense of safety?
Enter "glimmers" - the lesser-known but equally powerful counterpart to triggers that deserves our attention.
What Are Glimmers?
Coined by therapist Deb Dana, LCSW, glimmers are the opposite of triggers. While triggers activate our protection system, glimmers activate our connection system. They're micro-moments of joy, safety, and connection that light up our nervous system in positive ways.
"You feel something happen inside," Dana explains. "There's an energy that happens around a glimmer, and then your brain marks it as well."
Unlike triggers, which have a violent connotation and sound as activating as some of the experiences they describe, glimmers represent gentle moments of positive activation - little sparks of well-being.
The Neuroscience of Glimmers vs. Triggers
Both triggers and glimmers activate our nervous system, but in fundamentally different ways:
Triggers activate the sympathetic nervous system - our "fight, flight, freeze, or appease" response. This system responds to perceived threats, evoking emotions like fear, anxiety, and stress. When triggered, we're transported back to past traumas, and our bodies repeat the protective responses we once relied on.
Glimmers, on the other hand, activate the parasympathetic nervous system - our "rest and digest" state. This helps our bodies relax, regulate, and conserve energy, sparking feelings of calm and connectedness. Glimmers help us return to our "wise mind” where executive functioning skills such as goal-directed behavior, flexible thinking, and self-control lead the way.
Finding Your Glimmers
You can use the neuroscience of glimmers and triggers in practical ways to build resilience. Glimmers aren't grand experiences but small moments that bring us peace. What makes them special is their ability to cue safety and build resilience by rewiring our brains toward connection rather than protection.
Here are some glimmers you might recognize:
Cuddling a pet
Watching a sunset or sunrise
Encountering a specific fragrance that brings comfort
Hearing a baby laugh
Experiencing moments in nature (the sun on your skin, smelling the ocean, feeling a gentle breeze)
Connecting with a stranger in a meaningful way
The smell or taste of a dish or drink
Hearing your favorite song unexpectedly
The first sip of morning coffee or tea
The weight of a warm blanket on a cold day
The sound of rainfall on a roof
A spontaneous hug from someone you love
Spotting a butterfly, bird, or sneaky squirrel outside your window
Cultivating Awareness of Glimmers
Our brains are remarkably good at finding what they're looking for - whether that's potential threats (to keep us safe) or moments of connection (to keep us well). By intentionally noticing and savoring glimmers, we can train our brains to spot more of them by intentionally noticing and savoring glimmers.
Remember that just like triggers, glimmers are:
Activating for your brain
Stimulated by any or all five senses
Capable of wiring your brain to respond to them
Activators of your nervous system
Able to originate internally or externally
Unique to each person
The key difference is that while triggers push us into protection mode, glimmers invite us into connection - with ourselves, others, and the world around us.
Embracing the Power of Glimmers
In our trigger-heavy world, actively seeking out and acknowledging glimmers isn't just a pleasant diversion - it's a radical act of self-care and neurological reprogramming. By recognizing these moments of joy and safety, we build resilience against life's inevitable challenges.
The next time you feel that small spark of joy or peace, pause to acknowledge it. That's a glimmer, and it's your nervous system's way of saying: "We're safe here. We can rest.”
The more we notice these moments, the more our brains will seek them out, gradually shifting our attention (both conscious and subconscious) from a world of threats to one abundant with opportunities for connection and peace.
Glimmers are everywhere and we all have them. You just need to train your eyes (and your brain) to see them.
Include glimmers in your Self-Care Planning Kit, which you can download for free.