Glimmers: Our Little Joys in Life

“I see trees of green
Red roses too
I see them bloom
For me and you
And I think to myself
What a wonderful world

 I see skies of blue
And clouds of white
The bright blessed day
The dark sacred night
And I think to myself
What a wonderful world”

-What a wonderful world by Louis Armstrong

A glimpse of the rainbow, the smell of fresh rain on dry earth, seeing the picture of a loved one, a look at flowers in bloom……Have you ever noticed how simple, everyday moments can instantly shift our mood and bring in calm and positivity?

Our emotions are a significant part of our lives. Charles Darwin defined emotions as “universal” in The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals (1872). Since prehistoric times, they have existed in all racial, gender, and cultural groups, evolved for social interaction and survival.

Human beings experience a vast range of emotions. Psychologist Paul Ekman identified six universal emotions which are also called primary emotions: happiness, sadness, fear, disgust, anger, and surprise.

The stimuli from our environment and our experience to these stimuli can evoke positive or negative emotions in us.

Triggers and Glimmers

The experience of going through a psychological reaction to a distressing subject is referred to as a trigger. Triggers can make us feel overwhelmed and are a painful reminder of a traumatic event. When someone is triggered, they experience a strong negative emotional reaction, often linked to past experiences.

The opposite of triggers are glimmers. These are positive emotional reactions that.

create a sense of safety and make us feel calm and relaxed. Glimmers can be found in simple.

moments like a walk in the park, a heartfelt conversation with a close friend, or the delight of a satisfying meal. These moments help to regulate the nervous system and balance our emotions.

In the roller coaster of emotions called life, glimmers act as emotional regulators and help us navigate life more smoothly.

Deb Dana, a trauma therapist introduced the term Glimmers for the first time in her book, The Polyvagal Theory in Therapy: Engaging the Rhythm of Regulation.

Know your Glimmers

Unlike triggers, which can bring strong emotions to the surface quickly, glimmers can be hard to identify. As the name suggests, glimmers are the ‘faint or wavering lights’ which may go unnoticed until we pay attention to them.

Identifying our glimmers can be challenging if we are not in tune with ourselves and aware about what we like, who makes us feel safe, and what brings us comfort. The more mindful we are of ourselves and our surroundings, the easier it becomes to identify and embrace our glimmers.

Studies show that practicing positive emotions can help reduce stress, improve physical health, and increase longevity. Glimmers are highly personalized, and not every individual shares the same glimmers. For instance, I find comfort in the smell of rain on dry soil, known as petrichor, but someone else might not appreciate it as much.

How to identify your Glimmers

You may already be aware of some of your glimmers. Common examples include:

•  Feeling the sunshine on your skin on a winter afternoon
• Watching the sunset over the ocean
• Smelling a relaxing scent
• Talking with close friends
• Playing with a pet
• A favourite song playing in a store

Since glimmers can sometimes be difficult to identify, here are some ways to help you recognize them:

•  Reflect on Your Actions: Keep track of your weekly activities. Identify which ones bring you peace, happiness, or satisfaction. It could be something as simple as reading your favourite novel, completing a chapter, or cooking a dish which might give you a sense of accomplishment and joy.
• Set a Goal: Therapists recommend identifying and noting down at least one to three glimmers each day. Try to create new glimmers if you struggle to find them in your daily routine.
• Journal Your Glimmers: Write down your glimmers to help you understand how they make you feel and why they bring you joy. As you acknowledge them, it allows you to naturally notice and appreciate more glimmers over time.
• Practice Mindfulness: Deep breathing exercises and focusing on one sense at a time, such as listening to sounds can help you identify your feelings. Mindfulness practices help to connect with the present moment and to be in touch with your emotions.
• Pay Attention and acknowledge: Notice what energizes you and allow yourself time to soak in. Those are your glimmers. For instance, flowers and plants add energy to my life and whenever I notice them in my surroundings, I pause to acknowledge and admire them.
• Express Gratitude: When you have an abundance of glimmers that add cheer to your day, greet them with gratitude. Appreciate the little moments that enliven you and show yourself kindness for recognizing them. 

It is incredible how human beings can find joy in even the smallest and simplest things. While life in a fast-paced world can sometimes overwhelm us, these little glimmers, personalized to us, help us get through our day and keep us afloat. Recognize

and cherish your glimmers to foster a more balanced and fulfilled life.

Share your glimmers with us in the comments below.