Travelling can bring moments of joy and tranquillity. Think of the sound of the wind through trees in the mountains, the stream gurgling through rocky landscapes, and the glorious sunsets you've seen. Going slow and enjoying moments while travelling allows you to establish a slower pace, which reduces stress and anxiety. You can enjoy being spontaneous, relaxing, and appreciating the beauty of each moment. The recent Insta trend of glimmers is all about that.
What Are Glimmers
So, what are glimmers exactly? Glimmers are the polar opposite of triggers; they are micro-moments that evoke hope, joy, or tranquillity and can assist our nervous system in feeling safe or peaceful. It could be butterflies fluttering over flowers, trees swaying in the breeze, hugging your friend, or watching the sunset. People are discovering and sharing their own glimmer moments on Instagram.
A Mental Health Break
According to advocates of the trend, intentionally identifying glimmers is vital because humans are wired with a negativity bias (paying attention to unpleasant events). This attentional bias can be exacerbated in those suffering from trauma-related disorders, depression, or attachment anxiety. Glimmers assist you in staying in control. Lately, you will find that Instagram has been flooded with posts about this.
The Origins
You've undoubtedly seen it on Instagram, TikTok, or another social media platform. However, Deb Dana, a certified clinical social worker who specialised in complex trauma, was the first to notice it, according to reports. Dana revealed in her 2018 book The Polyvagal Theory in Therapy that, while triggers elicit a fight or flight response, "glimmers" do the opposite. She called them "small moments in our daily lives that make our nervous system feel safe or calm." “We’re not talking great, big, expansive experiences of joy or safety or connection. These are micro-moments that begin to shape our system in very gentle ways.”
Look For The Moments
Glimmers can be pretty much anything. People on Insta are talking about how good it feels when they hear a favourite throwback song somewhere or look at a sunset. They are posting about ideas, feelings, situations, or literally anything that makes them feel good and stay in the moment.