Glimmers are the opposite of triggers, a term many of us are probably more familiar with. Triggers are the things that set us off on a spiral of negative thoughts and emotions - and they can be different for us all.
In contrast, glimmers spark a feeling of happiness, safety or comfort. True, these moments can be fleeting, but they can also be powerful enough to significantly benefit our own mental fitness.
In the busyness of life, its not always easy to find small moments of calm, peace and joy. And when everything feels chaotic or stressful, its hard to see beyond the things that are making us feel overwhelmed and anxious.
Sound familiar? Then you need to go glimmer hunting. But what are glimmers, and why should we be looking for them? Read on to find out.
What Are Glimmers?
Glimmers are the opposite of triggers, a term many of us are probably more familiar with. Triggers are the things that set us off on a spiral of negative thoughts and emotions - and they can be different for us all. Many of us learn quickly what triggers a low mood, and if we’re lucky we can take steps to avoid those triggers, or perhaps even take steps to work through our own responses to them.
In contrast, glimmers bring about very different thoughts, feelings and emotions. Instead of making us feel low or anxious, glimmers bring a sense of joy, calm or connection to our day. Glimmers spark a feeling of happiness, safety or comfort. True, these moments can be fleeting, but they can also be powerful enough to significantly benefit our own mental fitness.
So, rather than seeking to avoid triggers, we should be looking to hunt for glimmers instead.
How do glimmers help sustain mental fitness?
Just as a trigger might invoke feelings of anxiety - a rise in body temperature, breathing changes, sweaty palms, churning tummy - glimmers can cause quite a different reaction in the body.
Finding glimmers that spark moments of joy can help to reduce stress levels and interrupt negative thought patterns. Your overall wellbeing will take a boost, you’ll experience an increase in feelings of gratitude, and you’ll start to build more resilience against the triggers that will also, inevitably, pop up from time to time.
Spotting glimmers in your everyday life is also a fantastic way to be present in the moment. Actively looking at your surroundings, seeking out small moments of joy can help you to feel more connected to the people around you, and the world as a whole.
Glimmer hunting in nature
If we spend more time looking for glimmers, rather than reacting to triggers, we can actually open ourselves up to a whole new world. And what better time to go glimmer hunting than while outside in nature?
Nature offers us so many amazing opportunities to find glimmers! Here are just seven ways that you can get started:
Watch a sunrise. There are few sights more beautiful than the rising sun heralding a brand new day. If you’re able to wake early enough, it’s guaranteed to bring you a moment of joy. Spend some time soaking in the feeling of the earth waking and starting to warm, notice the shades of the trees and the grass as light begins to filter through.
Listen to birdsong. Close your eyes, and focus on all the sounds you can hear. Start with the sound of your own breath, then cast your ‘net’ a little wider to focus on other sounds a little further away. When you hear birdsong, focus only on that and allow your mind to clear.
Listen to leaves rustling. There’s a reason why white noise is so soothing for babies! Listening to the wind moving through the leaves on trees can produce a similar feeling of calm and can actually be quite meditative.
Watch and listen to water in motion. If you’re lucky enough to live by a lake or ocean, you’ll already know how soothing it can be to just sit and take it all in for a moment. Blue therapy has been well researched, and experts agree that just being near water can benefit mental wellbeing.
Breathe in the beauty of blooms. It might be the first daffodil of spring, or the vibrant colours of your next door neighbour’s begonias. It might even be the first tomato on the plant you’ve been carefully tending. Flowers and plants have an amazing ability to bring joy!
Spend time cloud-watching. If you get a moment to lie back and simply look up, we promise it will be worth it. Watching clouds as they drift across the sky is one glimmer we can seek out most days here in the UK!
Breathe in the fresh air. Wherever you are, take a moment to slow the breath and inhale deeply. Fresh air, whether on top of a mountain or at the swings in the park, can be one of life’s simplest pleasures.
