Find Your Glimmers

What is Neuroception?

Neuroception is used to describe how the nervous system constantly scans our environment for cues of safety and danger. When we are chronically stressed, the nervous system can become hypervigilant to dangers and instead of scanning our environment for signs of both safety and danger, it starts to see even minor threats as triggers, keeping us stuck in a stress response.

What are Glimmers?

Glimmers are the opposite of triggers. They are micro-moments of joy that help calm the nervous system. In our overstimulated world, glimmers can be the answer to rebalancing an overwhelmed nervous system and finding a way out of a chronic stress response. 

They bring a sense of connection and regulation to the body, cueing the nervous system to move out of survival mode and into what’s known as the “ventral vagal” state, which allows us to feel calm and open.  

Noticing and paying attention to glimmers can help us to feel safe and grounded. Over time this helps to reshape our nervous system, so it is less reactive to life’s day-to-day stresses. 

Examples of Glimmers

• Feeling the warmth of the sun

• Sensing the cool, salty ocean air 

• The smell of cut grass

• Seeing a rainbow

• Sunlight sparkling on water 

• A beautiful sunrise or sunset

• Watching the clouds change shape in the sky

• Smelling a relaxing or nostalgic scent

• Petting an animal

• Being in nature

• A stranger smiling at you in public

• The perfect cup of coffee or tea

• Seeing a beautiful nature scene

• Watching an animal playing

• Hearing your favourite song in a store

• Tasting a comforting or delicious meal

• Feeling cozy under a warm blanket or in a bath

• Hugging a loved one

  
  

Discovering Your Glimmers

Glimmers (just like triggers) are very personal and different for everyone. The first step is identifying moments where, however fleeting, you felt safe and connected. Glimmers feel a little different in everyone’s bodies, but they’re generally those warm-and-fuzzy feelings where you feel cozy and content.

Give yourself a small goal you can accomplish and then build from there - maybe start with just trying to find one glimmer each day for example on your daily walk, or in your lunch break. 

When you do come across a glimmer in your day, allow yourself to stop and really take it in  - tune into your 5 senses to explore all that you are experiencing in the moment. 

Start a glimmer journal to log the glimmers you discover throughout the day and reflect on how they made you feel. When you purposefully notice glimmers, and how you feel when you do, you will naturally begin to see more! With time this will retrain your nervous system to notice safety so it behaves in a more regulated way, allowing you to feel more calm and balanced.