Glimmers Exercise:
Glimmers are the opposite of triggers. While triggers activate our defensive states (fight, flight, or shutdown), glimmers are micro-moments that spark feelings of safety, connection, calm, or joy. They're small by design—a warm cup of coffee in the morning light, a familiar song, eye contact with a pet, the sound of a loved one's laugh. The term describes these brief cues of regulation that gently activate the ventral vagal state, the part of our autonomic nervous system associated with social engagement and well-being.
The Glimmers Activity is developed to help people intentionally notice and collect these moments. The exercise typically involves keeping a glimmers journal or list, where you jot down small experiences throughout the day that bring a flicker of ease or delight. Over time, this practice trains the nervous system to scan for safety rather than threat. The more you notice glimmers, the more your brain becomes attuned to finding them, gradually shifting your baseline state and strengthening resilience.
You don't need to manufacture big positive experiences or push away difficult emotions. You simply pay attention to the small sparks that are already there, honoring them as meaningful data your nervous system can use to feel balanced in the world.
Interval attention training directions
