Glimmers to Overcome Triggers
When we are triggered, we are feeling internal cues that indicate a potential threat. Their opposite, glimmers, are cues that signal safety.
When we are triggered, our nervous systems can become activated and push us into the survival strategies such as fight, flight, freeze, appease, and feigned death. I previously wrote about the process of nervous system activation here and here.
Glimmers are the opposite of triggers and can activate our ventral vagal nervous system. When we can find glimmers, they can cause us to feel more safe, relaxed, and open to connecting with ourselves and/or others.
So, what is a glimmer and how do you find them?
A glimmer can be found in most places and moments. They can include:
Noticing beautiful things in nature - a bee on a flower, the wind gently blowing the trees, the warmth of the sun on your skin, seeing the stars in the sky, a spectacular sunset…
Witnessing a sweet interaction between strangers, reading a funny text from a friend, hearing a loved one’s …