--- title: "Finding Your 'Glimmers': Small Moments That Make a Big Difference" description: Discover glimmers—small, intentional moments of calm and joy inspired by Deb Dana’s Polyvagal Theory in Therapy to support daily resilience. image: https://blogs.thesteppingstonesgroup.com/hubfs/Screenshot%202025-12-18%20141415.jpg --- [![SSG Group Brand](https://blogs.thesteppingstonesgroup.com/hs-fs/hubfs/raw_assets/public/TheSteppingStonesGroup_February2021/images/SSG_logo.png?width=1640&height=421&name=SSG_logo.png "SSG Group Brand")](https://thesteppingstonesgroup.com/) - [Home](https://thesteppingstonesgroup.com/) - [Careers](https://thesteppingstonesgroup.com/careers/) - [Search Open Jobs](https://jobs.thesteppingstonesgroup.com/) - [Quick Apply](https://steppingstones.careercenter.smartsearch.plus/registration/) - [Transforming Support](https://thesteppingstonesgroup.com/professional-development/) - [Travel & Transform](https://thesteppingstonesgroup.com/travel/) - [Refer a friend](https://thesteppingstonesgroup.com/careers/referral-program/) - [Parents](https://thesteppingstonesgroup.com/parents/) - [Schools](https://thesteppingstonesgroup.com/schools/) - [Telepractice](https://thesteppingstonesgroup.com/telepractice/) - [Referrers](https://thesteppingstonesgroup.com/referrers/) - [About SSG](https://thesteppingstonesgroup.com/about/) - [Our Services](https://thesteppingstonesgroup.com/services/) - [Our Story](https://thesteppingstonesgroup.com/our-story/) - [Meet Our Team](https://thesteppingstonesgroup.com/our-story/#leadership_team) - [Contact](https://thesteppingstonesgroup.com/contact/) ![](https://blogs.thesteppingstonesgroup.com/hubfs/Screenshot%202025-12-18%20141415.jpg) # Finding Your 'Glimmers': Small Moments That Make a Big Difference Wed, Dec 24, 2025 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* Tags: [Glimmers](https://blogs.thesteppingstonesgroup.com/tag/glimmers), [Polyvagal Theory in Therapy](https://blogs.thesteppingstonesgroup.com/tag/polyvagal-theory-in-therapy), [Micro-moments of calm](https://blogs.thesteppingstonesgroup.com/tag/micro-moments-of-calm), [Nervous system regulation](https://blogs.thesteppingstonesgroup.com/tag/nervous-system-regulation), [Small moments of joy](https://blogs.thesteppingstonesgroup.com/tag/small-moments-of-joy), [Therapy tools](https://blogs.thesteppingstonesgroup.com/tag/therapy-tools), [Mental health self-care](https://blogs.thesteppingstonesgroup.com/tag/mental-health-self-care), [Mindfulness moments](https://blogs.thesteppingstonesgroup.com/tag/mindfulness-moments), [Deb Dana](https://blogs.thesteppingstonesgroup.com/tag/deb-dana) [Back to Blog](https://blogs.thesteppingstonesgroup.com) Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice. The content is based on the author's personal experiences, research, and opinions. It is always recommended to consult with a qualified professional or expert before making any decisions or taking action based on the information provided in this blog. ## Related Articles ##### [My Most Useful Therapy Materials - for Children and Adults](https://blogs.thesteppingstonesgroup.com/my-most-useful-therapy-materials-for-children-and-adults) I’m currently in my clinical fellowship for speech-language pathology at two elementary schools,... [Read More](https://blogs.thesteppingstonesgroup.com/my-most-useful-therapy-materials-for-children-and-adults) ##### [Offering Support During Suicide Prevention Month](https://blogs.thesteppingstonesgroup.com/offering-support-during-suicide-prevention-month) September is a month of significance, as it is dedicated to a cause that touches the lives of... 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