'Glimmers' Might Just Be The Secret To Managing Stress

What is a glimmer?

While triggers create a negative emotional response, glimmers create a positive one. While triggers often emerge out of nowhere and blindside you, glimmers can be cultivated. And while triggers are often entirely out of your control, glimmers are largely within it.

While this may seem like a new phenomena, the idea stems from a study conducted in the 1990s by neuroscientist Stephen Porges. Porges was undergoing the study of Polyvagal Theory, and through his study, the concepts of 'triggers' and 'glimmers' were born. The actual term 'glimmer' was then coined by social worker Deb Dana in 2018,, when it was published in the book The Polyvagal Theory in Therapy: Engaging the Rhythm of Regulation.

Polyvagal Theory is concerned with the way in which autonomic nervous system (which is responsible for involuntary actions like breathing) searches for cues which may be a threat, or of danger to us.

When your body perceives a threat, you’ll experience a physiological response such as an increase in heart rate, an inability to process thoughts coherently, and sometimes even perspiration, as your body enters its fight-or-flight mode.

On the other hand, when your body feels safe, it will do the complete opposite. Your central nervous system will regulate, causing your heart rate to decrease while you enter a more relaxed state.

This is where glimmers come in. Glimmers are moments that spark "joy, awe or belongingness," says Dr Justine Grosso. They are cues of safety and help your body feel calm and relaxed. By consciously noticing these moments, you experience a sense of groundedness, connection and wellbeing, which is excellent for managing stress.