By Iolee Anagnostopoulou

Sometimes, as I sit in my living room sipping my afternoon tea, I can’t help but smile when my eyes land on my cat, Bailey, peacefully napping on his window bed. I find myself admiring the striking patterns on his coat, his belly’s gentle rise and fall as he breathes, and his adorable dream-induced reactions (probably chasing a mouse!).

It almost feels like entering a mini-trance as I fully surrender to the present moment we share. Our daily interactions, whether a brief few seconds or lasting a few minutes, recharge my mood for hours.

These moments are what some might call “glimmers,” and they play a crucial role in enhancing our mental well-being.

What Are Glimmers?

Glimmers are tiny everyday moments that evoke feelings of peace, calmness, connection, and safety. They help us feel grounded and balanced, signalling our nervous system to shift into a parasympathetic state, which allows us to feel relaxed and open.

In fact, glimmers are 100% legit in Psychotherapy. The term was coined by licensed clinical social worker Deb Dana in her 2018 book The Polyvagal Theory in Therapy. 

Clinicians use Polyvagal Theory to understand trauma and its impact on the nervous system. Unlike triggers, which bring up painful memories and can cause depression, anxiety or even anger, glimmers uplift our mood and provide a sense of tranquillity.

Recognising and embracing these fleeting yet impactful moments can significantly improve our mood and overall outlook on life. The concept went viral on TikTok in 2022, with users sharing their glimmers and offering advice on how to notice them.

We all experience glimmers differently based on our personality, past experiences, and current emotional state. Hence, these moments can appear in many forms and are unique to each individual. 

Here are a few examples:

  • Natural Beauty: Observing the sunlight filtering beautifully through the clouds.
  • Pet Companionship: Thinking of or interacting with a beloved pet.
  • Familiar Scents: Experiencing a smell that awakens joyful memories.
  • Seasonal Changes: Watching the flowers bloom as spring arrives.
  • Simple Joys: Enjoying a favourite song on your way to work, savouring a homemade meal, or feeling the ocean breeze on your face.

It’s important to remember that while fleeting moments of joy or positivity might bring temporary happiness, glimmers offer a more profound and lasting sense of peace. 

Their spontaneity and grounding effect make us feel more calm, present and connected, especially as we tune into them. 

How Glimmers Fortify Our Mental Health

Mood Boosters

When the body is triggered, the nervous system becomes dysregulated, leading to a heightened stress state known as “fight or flight.” Conversely, glimmers help the nervous system relax, promoting a state of harmony, connection, and safety.

They boost mood and enhance physical health by regulating the nervous system and decreasing anxiety.

Improving Overall Well-Being

Glimmers help us focus on the present, reducing stress about the future and inducing feelings of joy and calmness. Experiencing glimmers can also improve sleep and sex drive, as well as strengthen our desire to accomplish life goals.

Acknowledging these experiences regularly can make your daily routine more positive and fulfilling.

Building Motivation And Resilience 

Trauma is more common than we think, and it can make us more susceptible to triggers that unlock stress responses—for example, elevated heart rate, sweating, and overwhelming negative feelings.

Glimmers, however, can help us build resilience by creating positive neural connections that promote ease and rest. Polyvagal Theory, where the term originated, explains how our autonomic nervous system interprets our environment to determine safety or threat.

‘Hacking’ it by frequently noticing and appreciating glimmers can lead to a less overactive nervous system and greater emotional resilience.

Cultivating Gratitude And Mindfulness

Glimmers are the ultimate tool for cultivating a gratitude mindset. They can help us develop a habit of recognising positivity, pleasure, and joy in everyday life.

This practice can snowball into a more grateful and mindful outlook, reminding us that, above all, we’re here to experience life and its many gifts.

Finding Glimmers In Your Life

Noticing glimmers requires training ourselves to be present and mindful. We can better tune into these mini moments of bliss by being aware of our thoughts and sensations without letting them consume us. 

Even small experiences, like a baby smiling at you, can be glimmers.

Here are a few helpful practices to consider:

  • Keeping A Gratitude Journal: Reflecting on positive experiences daily can help you notice and appreciate glimmers. It’s a great way to record these moments and reinforce a habit of recognising the good in everyday life.
  • Engaging In Joyful Activities: Participating in activities that bring joy, fulfilment, and connection can increase the likelihood of experiencing glimmers.
  • Limit Screen Time: To find more glimmers, you must go where they are—and it’s not on your screen! Swap scrolling with real-world interactions instead.

In a constantly overstimulated and often negative world, embracing these small moments of bliss can lead to a more fulfilling and joyful existence. Trust me: the more you recognise and value your unique glimmers, the more naturally they will come to you.

Focusing on what’s good around us can alleviate stress, calm our nervous systems, and gradually rewire our brains for a more positive outlook.  

What glimmers did you experience today?