Living Consciouslyy DAFHNWPWVCQ Pocket Guide to Glimmers Instructions
- June 12, 2024
- Living Consciouslyy
Table of Contents
In A World Full of Triggers…Find
Your Glimmers
A POCKET GUIDE
by Living Consciouslyy Foundation
Owning and guiding your
nervous system
DAFHNWPWVCQ Pocket Guide to Glimmers
Human beings are built with a negativity bias. We are biologically, wired to
pay more attention to the negative and can often Miss the positive. This is a
survival instinct which makes us naturally, more attuned to triggers than
glimmers.
Triggers signal to the autonomic nervous system that you are in danger. (Not
Accurate though) Glimmers signal limmers signal to the autonomic nervous
system that you are safe.
They are the bright moments throughout our day, that help us feel more
connected confident, and at ease.
The more we notice glimmers, the more we strengthen the neural pathways that
lead to nervous system regulation.
What are glimmers?
Glimmers are the opposite of triggers
Glimmers are the micro-moments of safety and connection that happen every day
yet often go unnoticed Glimmers help us feel safe, connected to ourselves and
other people.
A fundamental step in positively shaping your nervous system and taking it off
from survival mode is paying attention to glimmer which includes: a Friendly
face. a certain smell, a soothing sound of Noticing something enjoyable Pause
to take it then look for more. These cues of safety bring us pack to calmness:
Revisiting these things Can act as an antidote to the triggers all around US.
Glimmers aren’t just tiny moments that bring joy or happiness, they can also
spark ease, relaxation, safety, connection or a feeling that the world is OK
even for a fleeting moment.
Glimmers can be found in different places and senses.. Some examples include:
- In nature, admiring your garden or seeing the stars in the sky.
- Noticing a stranger’s smile or the warmth of a loved one’s voice.
- Feeling comforted by furry friends.
- Your favorite song playing on the radio.
- There’s an energy that happens around a glimmer, and then your brain then marks it as well.
Glimmers are small moments that spark joy or peace, which can help cue our nervous system to feel safe or calm.
THE SCIENCE…
The concept of triggers and glimmers exists within Polyvagal theory, which
was developed by Dr. Stephen Porges (a behavioural neuroscientist) in the
early 1990s. Deb Dana, a clinician, consultant, and lecturer specialising in
complex trauma established the concept of triggers and glimmers.
Trauma reshapes our system so that we are more prone to pathways of protection than pathways of connection. This keeps us in a survival state instead of a thriving state.
Triggers activate either the sympathetic nervous system or the dorsal vagal
branch of the parasympathetic nervous system. This means that when trauma is
trapped in our system, we go into a hyper-vigilant state, or our freeze
response is activated, and we shut down. Neither is a healthy place to exist
in for an extended period.
Glimmers are guided by our ventral vagal system.
These make us feel safe, connected to ourselves and other people. Calling
attention to our glimmers can bring a return to autonomic regulation, creating
a meaningful shift in perspective.
How to collect Glimmers
with every glimmer we take note of, no matter how small, we increase the momentum of our healing
There’s no secret formula to recognizing and embracing glimmers. It’s a
practice.
you can set a glimmer intention where you promise you’ll look for one in the
morning each day.
Set a daily goal. Set yourself up for success by choosing a goal that’s bite-
sized and doable.
Recognizing one or two glimmers a day is a great place to start.
When you spot a glimmer., take 30 seconds (or more) to marinate in it. Let
yourself soak it up, so it registers deeply in your nervous system.
Notice what you feel or dont feel in your body while you are connecting to the
glimmers. Notice any tiny shifts toward greater ease and comfort.
Moment by moment, one glimmer at a time, we can literally reshape the structure of our nervous system
Deb Dana coined the term “glimmers” in her book “The Polyvagal Theory
This Pocket Guide is lovingly designed by Living Consciouslyy Foundation
© | livingconsciouslyy | 2023