Glimmers: The Opposite of Trauma Triggers

After experiencing trauma, your mind and body often stay in a state of increased alertness. This state, driven by trauma triggers, can make everyday life feel overwhelming. However, there’s a powerful tool that can help you on the path to healing from trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): glimmers. These small moments of goodness offer a counter to the stress caused by trauma. In today's blog, we explore what glimmers are and how they differ from trauma triggers. We also identify ways they can help you recover from trauma and build resilience.

Understanding Trauma Triggers

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Before we dive into glimmers, it's important to understand what trauma triggers are. A trauma trigger is any sensory input or situation that brings back memories of a traumatic event. These triggers can cause you to relive your trauma or experience intense reactions. This occurs even if the current situation isn't dangerous. For example, a loud noise might remind you of a traumatic event involving loud sounds. This might lead you to feel anxious or panicked.

Trauma triggers keep the nervous system on high alert. This makes it difficult to feel safe or relaxed. This constant state of stress can hinder recovery and affect your mental health.

What Are Glimmers?

Glimmers are the opposite of trauma triggers. They are small, positive moments that bring a sense of goodness, beauty, or awe into your life. These moments help regulate your nervous system. They signal safety to your survival brain and create feelings of joy and peace. Unlike trauma triggers, glimmers are not overwhelming; instead, they are subtle and calming.

Glimmers can be both internal and external. They help improve mood, support mental health, and build nervous system resilience over time. By paying attention to these small, positive moments, you can gradually shift your focus from the symptoms of trauma to the small joys that make life meaningful.

How Glimmers Help in Trauma Recovery

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  1. Regulating the Nervous System:

    Glimmers help bring our nervous system back to a state of balance. When you notice something pleasant or beautiful, your body releases calming hormones. These include oxytocin and serotonin. This helps counteract the stress response triggered by trauma.

  2. Cueing Safety:

    Glimmers signal to our survival brain that you are safe. When you focus on these positive moments, your body realizes that not everything is threatening. This can reduce feelings of fear and anxiety.

  3. Installing Peace and Joy:

    Experiencing glimmers introduces moments of peace and joy into your daily lives. These small bits of happiness can help counteract the emotional pain caused by trauma. You will begin to feel a sense of calm and satisfaction.

  4. Improving Mood and Mental Health:

    Noticing and appreciating glimmers can boost your mood and overall mental health. When you regularly experience small moments of goodness, it can help reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression.

  5. Building Nervous System Resilience:

    By focusing on glimmers, you gradually strengthen your nervous system’s ability to cope with stress. Over time, these small moments can help build resilience, making it easier to handle challenging situations.

Examples to Consider

Glimmers can be found in many aspects of daily life. Here are some examples to look out for:

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  • A Beautiful Sunset: The calming colors of a sunset can be a soothing visual experience, offering a moment of peace and awe.

  • A Kind Gesture: A friendly smile from a stranger or friend. Or a thoughtful act from a loved one can bring a sense of connection and warmth.

  • A Favorite Song: Listening to a song that you love can evoke feelings of joy and nostalgia, lifting your spirits.

  • A Delicious Meal: Enjoying a healthy meal can be a sensory delight. It provides comfort and satisfaction.

  • A Moment of Stillness: Taking a few deep breaths and feeling the calm of a quiet moment can help ground you and reduce stress.

  • A Pet’s Affection: The loving connection of a pet, like a cat purring or a dog’s wagging tail, can bring a sense of joy and companionship.

  • A Beautiful Flower: Observing the colors and details of a flower can be a reminder of nature’s beauty and simplicity.

  • A Positive Memory: Reflecting on a happy memory or accomplishment can bring a sense of pride and contentment.

  • A Cozy Blanket: Wrapping yourself in a warm and soft blanket can provide physical comfort and a feeling of safety.

The Power of Noticing Glimmers

Noticing glimmers is a powerful healing practice. It’s important to remember that no glimmer is too small to notice. Each small moment of goodness contributes to a broader sense of well-being and recovery. Think about each glimmer as one piece of a larger puzzle. By actively looking for and appreciating these moments, you can gradually shift your focus from the pain of trauma to the small joys in life.

Over time, this practice can lead to significant improvements in your mental health and resilience. The more you recognize and savor glimmers, the more you build a foundation of positivity and calm. This will help you navigate the challenges of trauma recovery.

See a Trauma Specialist in Michigan

Glimmers are more than just fleeting moments of joy; they are powerful tools for healing from trauma. By recognizing and appreciating these small, positive experiences, you can help regulate your nervous system, cue your brain to feel safe, and improve your overall mental health. Whether it’s a beautiful sunset, a kind gesture, or a favorite song, each glimmer plays a role in our recovery journey. Start the process with these 3 easy steps:

  1. Schedule a free 15-minute consultation

  2. Be matched with one of our trauma specialists!

  3. Start noticing glimmers!

Other Online Counseling Services We Provide in Michigan

At Embodied Wellness, PLLC we offer a variety of holistic treatment services for adults and teens with anxiety, depression, and OCD. We also specialize in many forms of trauma therapy including Somatic therapy such as Somatic Experiencing, DBT, CBT, ERP, Internal Family Systems, and EMDR therapy. We offer online therapy in Michigan También ofrecemos terapia en español en Michigan. Start getting past your trauma today by visiting our Detroit-based practice. We also provide low-cost therapy.



About the Author: 

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Sarah Rollins, LMSW, SEP is the founder of Embodied Wellness, PLLC, a group therapy practice providing online therapy in Michigan. She is passionate about expanding awareness of somatic therapy as a way to treat and heal trauma. She incorporates other holistic treatments into her practice including EMDR and IFS. 



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