Glimmers

Glimmers (coined by Deb Dana from @polyvagalinstitute) are small moments that spark joy or peace, which help cue our nervous system to feel safe or calm.

A glimmer is the opposite of a trigger that activates the flight/fight response within the nervous system. For those of us with #mecfs, our nervous systems have got stuck in a stress response - aka stuck in flight or fight, always on high alert from danger, and normal bodily functions don't occur. It's actively difficult for our bodies to feel safe and/or calm.

So, Deb Dana, the explainer of #stephenporges

#polyvagaltheory, encourages us to find the glimmers in each day. These are small things ... being in nature, seeing something pretty, humming along to a radio, the feeling of being wrapped in a warm blanket, the smell of baking bread - everyone gets this feeling from different things ... We are all unique. Everyone finds glimmers in different places and ways ...

By focusing on finding these small glimmers, throughout each day, we slowly retrain our nervous systems to feel better, to find safety, to feel calm ... And therefore take a step closer to healing. Today, I enjoyed the way the light hit the swimming pool, reflecting off the water whilst watching my daughter's swimming lesson.

Did you notice anything glimmering for you today? If so, comment below to share with me