A friend recently sent me an article about “glimmers” which are the opposite of “triggers.” Triggers activate our fight/flight/freeze responses, but glimmers activate our sense of safety and connection. This is a concept from Deb Dana, LCSW, who is an expert in polyvagal theory, an approach to understanding and healing trauma. Glimmers are found in small moments and reminders of safety, warmth, and connection, in things like pictures, scents, songs, nature, and positive social interactions. Just like trauma repatterns our nervous systems to react more quickly with a sympathetic nervous system response (revving up), safety repatterns our nervous systems to respond more easily with a parasympathetic nervous system response (calming down). Looking for evidence of love is one way to find glimmers in the world around you. Another is noticing the ordinary things that bring you joy or that bring back warm and fuzzy memories.
