You’ve probably heard the word “trigger”—something that sends your nervous system into stress or survival mode. But did you know there’s an opposite?
They’re called glimmers—tiny moments that help your body feel calm, connected, or even quietly joyful.
What Are Glimmers?
The term glimmers was coined by therapist Deb Dana, a leading voice in Polyvagal Theory—the science of how our nervous system helps us feel safe or threatened.
Glimmers are the micro-moments of joy, safety, or connection that remind your nervous system the world isn’t all danger.
They can be small and fleeting:
Sunlight hitting the kitchen counter just right
Your dog’s tail thumping when you walk in the door
The sound of laughter from another room
A text from someone who gets you
These moments don’t erase stress, but they balance it. Each glimmer tells your body, “You’re okay right now.”
Why Glimmers Matter for Mental Health
Our brains naturally notice threats more than safety—a survival feature that sometimes works too well. This “negativity bias” can keep us hyper-focused on what’s wrong.
By intentionally noticing glimmers, you retrain your nervous system to spot cues of safety instead. Over time, this strengthens your ability to self-regulate and recover from stress faster.
When you recognize glimmers, you’re not pretending life is perfect—you’re reminding your brain that good moments still exist, even during hard seasons.
At Juniper Counselling, we often help clients use glimmer-hunting as part of emotional regulation work. It’s a gentle, evidence-based way to shift from surviving to living.
How to Start Looking for Glimmers
1. Slow down the scroll. Your mind needs stillness to notice joy. Take a few seconds between tasks to simply observe your surroundings—what do you see, hear, or feel that’s pleasant or peaceful?
2. Keep a “Glimmer Log.” At the end of the day, jot down one or two small things that made you smile or exhale. Over time, this trains your awareness to scan for safety and connection instead of threat.
3. Engage your senses. Touch the warmth of your coffee mug, feel your pet’s fur, notice the smell after rain. Sensory noticing helps anchor you in the present moment.
4. Share them. Talk about your glimmers at dinner, in therapy, or with a friend. Naming them helps solidify the memory and spreads that sense of safety outward.
The Big Impact of Small Moments
Glimmers don’t need to be grand. You don’t have to “find your joy” or “be grateful all the time.” It’s about collecting micro-moments that remind your body what peace feels like—so it can find its way back there more easily.
And when those moments start to stack up, you may notice something subtle but powerful: You’re not just surviving anymore. You’re re-learning how to feel safe, curious, and connected again.
If You’d Like Support
If you’d like to learn more about calming your nervous system or finding steadiness after stress, our counsellors at Juniper Counselling can help. We specialize in trauma-informed and evidence-based approaches that help you reconnect with your own sense of safety, joy, and belonging.
💚 Juniper Counselling Port Moody
We create safe spaces so you can be brave. Book a free consultation now
