In a world that often feels overwhelming, we've become familiar with the concept of "triggers" - those stimuli that activate our stress responses and thrust us back into past traumas. But what about the opposite experience? What happens when something unexpectedly brings us joy, peace, or a sense of safety?
What Are Glimmers?
Coined by therapist Deb Dana, LCSW, glimmers are the opposite of triggers. While triggers activate our protection system, glimmers activate our connection system. They're micro-moments of joy, safety, and connection that light up our nervous system in positive ways.
"You feel something happen inside," Dana explains. "There's an energy that happens around a glimmer, and then your brain marks it as well."
Unlike triggers, which have a violent connotation and sound as activating as some of the experiences they describe, glimmers represent gentle moments of positive activation - little sparks of well-being.
Enter "glimmers" - the lesser-known but equally powerful counterpart to triggers that deserves our attention.
Comments (1)