Lots of trends take over social media, many of them short-lived. But there’s one that may be worth adding to your daily life for good: the pursuit of "glimmers."
Glimmers, a term clinical social worker Deb Dana introduced in her 2018 book The Polyvagal Theory in Therapy, are “micro-moments that cue your nervous system to feel safe or calm.” They’ve been described as the opposite of triggers.
A glimmer can take almost any form—a calming rhythm in a song, the warmth of sunshine on a cool day, a moment of connection with a loved one, the just-right final bite of a favorite meal, the feeling of sinking into the couch after a long day. Anything that brings a little safety, lightness, or joy to your day qualifies.
Because glimmers are such tiny moments, they’re easy to overlook. The beauty, though, is that once you start looking for them, you begin to notice them more easily and more often. Thanks to selective attention, we can train our brains to shift toward the positive simply by pausing to acknowledge these brief sparks of calm.
In her book, Dana also highlights how glimmers can play a meaningful role in therapy. Small, intentional moments—like sharing a story, reflecting on a favorite book passage, or noticing a client’s small successes—can create safety and connection. These little sparks help the nervous system relax and open the door to growth.
Even outside of therapy, you can bring a little of that practice into everyday life. Notice the little things that make you feel grounded, safe, or joyful, and give yourself permission to savor them. Over time, these tiny moments of attention can build resilience and make calm and connection more accessible in everyday life.
Try finding one glimmer in your day today. Maybe tomorrow you’ll notice two, or even more. If it helps, jot them down. When life feels overwhelming, looking back at recent glimmers can be grounding. And when you can, be a glimmer in someone else’s day.
Happy holidays, and best wishes for a new year full of glimmers.
Author: Holly (née Dust) Chadwick
