GRACE TAKES NOTES
You Know Those “Glimmers” Everyone Is Talking About?
Apparently, they are moments of awe
I am not a rainbow and unicorn kind of girl. Woman, I should say in deference to the PC police. I rarely believe in cosmic intervention and do not believe the Universe is conspiring in my favor or against me.
But I keep seeing pieces written about “Glimmers” — on blog posts and mainstream newspapers. What are they? They are small, pleasurable experiences that happen during everyday activities. Sometimes, they are called tiny moments of awe. Often, they are micro-moments causing little shifts in our mood.
I thought endorphins from skiing or swimming did that. Apparently, there is something scientific in our nervous system that responds to these Glimmers. That’s what caught my eye. Deb Dana, a licensed clinical social worker who specializes in complex trauma, coined the term “glimmers.” She explains that Glimmers can counteract the effects of stress and have a long-term cumulative positive effect on mental health.
Polyvagal theory involves the autonomic nervous system, which controls involuntary actions such as breathing and digestion. It searches for and interprets things, people, and environments to determine whether they are a threat or provide safety and connection. Intentionally searching for these moments enhances calmness and ameliorates anxiety.
I live a simple life and regularly stand in awe of the things around me — snowy egrets and fresh fox prints or a warm fire and a starry night. I just didn’t know they had a name. Notice your breathing the next time you encounter a glimmer; there just might be something to this.
Grace🎶
