Stop Chasing Calm: How “Glimmers” Help Create a Steady Nervous System
Moving from Overwhelm to Restoration
The internet and social media these days are filled with advice on how to regulate our nervous systems in a world of constant “busy-ness.”
Given how dysregulating today’s world can be—the constant connection through smartphones, high-demand jobs, the needs of family life, and the relentless stream of negative news—having access to information about nervous system support is wonderful.
Until, of course, in our dysregulated state, we find ourselves striving for “calm” as if it were a destination we must reach and reside in permanently. When this happens, the idea of “perfect calm” becomes just another item on an impossible to-do list.
Your Nervous System Isn’t Looking for Perfection
The truth? Your nervous system isn’t looking for you to be in an endless state of Zen; it’s simply looking for moments of safety.
I recently discovered, and fell in love with, the term “Glimmers.” Coined by Deb Dana, a leading voice in Polyvagal Theory, glimmers are the tiny micro-moments of safety that tell your nervous system it’s okay to let go of “high alert” mode.
Glimmers are those beautiful moments in life that we usually rush past. They are the opposite of “triggers.” While a trigger sparks anxiety, a glimmer sparks a tiny internal sigh of relief.
3 Simple Ways to Spot a Glimmer Today
You don’t need to go looking for these; you simply need to allow yourself to notice them when they happen:
- The Sensory Glimmer: The soothing warmth of a mug of tea or coffee in your hands on a cold morning.
- The Connection Glimmer: An unexpected, genuine smile from a stranger.
- The Nature Glimmer: Catching sight of a beautiful sunset at the end of a long day, or the way the light filters through the trees.
Bringing Glimmers onto the Yoga Mat
This concept really resonated with me because I instinctively use techniques in my somatic-informed yoga classes that draw attention to these moments. One of my favorites is during Savasana in my garden yoga classes: when I feel the warm morning sun on my skin, I invite my students to do the same. That warmth is a glimmer.
When we stop trying to “fix” our overwhelm and instead begin to anchor ourselves in these small moments, we create space for more wonder and connection—even amongst the chaos. We aren’t necessarily changing our busy lives, but we are slowly changing how we inhabit them.
Practice With Me
I invite you to allow this idea of glimmers to percolate in your mind today. Don’t strive for them, but perhaps just notice when one spots you.
If you feel like finding some glimmers right now, the video below is a 15-minute somatic practice created with this idea at its heart. It’s designed to help you move from “high alert” to feeling deeply rooted and safe in your body.
I’d love to hear from you in the comments below: What was one “Glimmer” you noticed in your world today?
With love,
Sharon