Small Moments of Safety That Shift the Nervous System

We often talk about triggers—those moments that activate the nervous system’s threat response. But what about the opposite? Deb Dana (2018) introduced the concept of glimmers—small cues of safety, warmth, and connection that help shift the nervous system towards regulation. These micro-moments, often subtle and fleeting, signal to the body that it is safe, fostering a sense of calm and co-regulation.

Glimmers can be found in the everyday: the sound of birds in the morning, the warmth of a cup of tea in your hands, or a brief but genuine smile from a stranger. Unlike the intense activation of triggers, glimmers work quietly in the background, helping to strengthen the nervous system’s capacity for resilience. Research on positive affect (Kok & Fredrickson, 2011) suggests that even brief experiences of safety and connection can create an upward spiral, improving emotional regulation and well-being over time.

The Neurobiological Impact of Glimmers

Polyvagal Theory, developed by Stephen Porges (1994), explains how our autonomic nervous system constantly scans for cues of safety and danger through a process called neuroception. While triggers activate a survival response—mobilising the fight-or-flight system or shutting the body down into a freeze state—glimmers engage the ventral vagal complex, which supports connection, social engagement, and an overall sense of ease (Dana, 2018).

Accumulating glimmers over time builds autonomic flexibility, helping clients shift out of survival states more easily. This process mirrors findings in positive psychology, where repeated experiences of positive emotions enhance resilience and overall mental health (Fredrickson, 2001).

Bringing Glimmers Into Therapy

1. Helping Clients Identify Their Glimmers – Ask clients to reflect on small moments that bring them a sense of comfort or connection. These are often overlooked but can serve as anchors for emotional regulation.

2. Encouraging Mindful Awareness – Invite clients to pause and fully experience glimmers when they arise, allowing the body to absorb these cues of safety rather than moving past them too quickly.

3. Building a Practice Around Glimmers – Keeping a journal or engaging in reflective discussions about glimmers can help clients strengthen their ability to notice and savour these moments, supporting nervous system regulation in the long term (Dana, 2025).

4. Using Glimmers in Trauma Work – For clients with trauma histories, intentionally seeking glimmers can support a gentle shift towards safety. Unlike forced positive thinking, this approach acknowledges distress while also expanding the window of tolerance.

The Power of Small Moments

Therapy often focuses on working through distress and pain, but recognising glimmers reminds us that healing is also about noticing moments of warmth and safety. Helping clients cultivate awareness of these small but meaningful experiences can provide a powerful counterbalance to the effects of stress and trauma.

What glimmers have you noticed today?

Chloe and Beth x

References

Dana, D. (2018). The Polyvagal Theory in Therapy: Engaging the Rhythm of Regulation. W.W. Norton & Company.

Dana, D. (2025). Glimmers Journal: Reflect on the Small Moments That Bring You Joy, Safety, and Connection. W.W. Norton & Company.

Fredrickson, B. L. (2001). The role of positive emotions in positive psychology: The broaden-and-build theory of positive emotions. American Psychologist, 56(3), 218–226.

Kok, B. E., & Fredrickson, B. L. (2011). Upward spirals of the heart: Autonomic flexibility, as indexed by vagal tone, reciprocally and prospectively predicts positive emotions and social connectedness. Biological Psychology, 85(3), 432-436.

Porges, S. W. (1994). Orienting in a defensive world: Mammalian modifications of our evolutionary heritage. Psychophysiology, 31(4), 401-418.