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+--- Thread: Glimmers vs triggers (/thread-19874.html)
Glimmers vs triggers - Magical Realist - Mar 1, 2026
https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-a-glimmer-5323168
"While you've probably heard about triggers, or those moments that generate feelings of anxiety and stress, you might be less familiar with glimmers. A glimmer is the exact opposite of a trigger—it is some kind of cue, either internal or external, that brings one back to a sense of joy, safety, or comfort.
A glimmer can be anything from catching a view of the skyline of your favorite city to seeing a picture of your pet. These are the things that help you feel OK. It might be the sun filtering through the branches outside your window or your favorite song playing on the radio. These glimmers are personal and can help shift you into a more relaxed state.
In our overstimulated worlds, glimmers can be the answer to regulating our overwhelmed nervous systems.
Origins of the Concept of Glimmers
The concept of glimmers is part of Polyvagal theory. Coined by behavioral neuroscientist Stephen Porges and introduced in 1995,1 the theory describes how our autonomic nervous system (which controls involuntary actions like breathing) is searching for and reading cues to determine if they are dangerous.
This process is called neuroception, and the vagus nerve, which regulates organ functions, is responsible for it.
The term glimmer, however, was introduced in 2018 in the book The Polyvagal Theory in Therapy: Engaging the Rhythm of Regulation2 by licensed clinical social worker Deb Dana. It was popularized by a viral TikTok video in February 2022 by psychologist Dr. Justine Grosso, in a video that has nearly 100,000 likes.
Some Common Glimmers
If you're still having trouble identifying what your own glimmers are, here are some common ones:
Feeling the warmth of the sun
Sensing the cool, salty ocean air
The smell of cut grass
Seeing a rainbow
Sunlight sparkling on water
Smelling lavender or some other relaxing scent
Petting a dog or cat
Being in nature
A stranger smiling at you in public
The perfect cup of coffee
Understanding Triggers and Glimmers
Triggers and glimmers might seem like they are exact opposites, but it's more like they are two sides of the same coin. Both act as cues that lead your nervous system to react to the world around you.
Triggers activate feelings of stress and danger, causing your body's fight or flight mode to kick in to ready you to deal with the threat. Glimmers, on the other hand, signal safety and connection and help you feel more at ease in the world...."
RE: Glimmers vs triggers - C C - Mar 6, 2026
Quote:[...] Triggers and glimmers might seem like they are exact opposites, but it's more like they are two sides of the same coin. Both act as cues that lead your nervous system to react to the world around you.
Triggers activate feelings of stress and danger, causing your body's fight or flight mode to kick in to ready you to deal with the threat. Glimmers, on the other hand, signal safety and connection and help you feel more at ease in the world...."
At least no one is probably going to advocate that "glimmers" be eliminated.
Students at Brandeis University once placed "trigger warning" on their list of suggested (oppressive) language, in the "violent category". Urging that it be replaced with "content note". Due to:
"Warning" can signify that something is imminent or guaranteed to happen, which may cause additional stress about the content to be covered. We can also never guarantee that someone will not be triggered during a conversation or training; people's triggers vary widely. Content note allows the same message to be conveyed, sharing details about the information/topics to come, without implying it is an exhaustive list or implying that someone is certain to be triggered.
Michael Kinsey, a psychologist, once advocated that "trigger" itself be taken out of commission (in personal context).Trigger warning: Four reasons to remove the word “triggered” from your lexicon
https://mindsplain.com/why-you-shouldnt-say-triggered/
EXCERPTS: The word “triggered,” which I used to hear only in mental health circles, has now fully permeated everyday language. [...] I confess to feeling annoyed with all of these uses, including the original use of the word.
When the opportunity presents, I steer clients away from using this term, for reasons (beyond my own annoyance) I will explain. In no particular order, I list my reasons for cringing at the word “triggered” below.
1. The relinquishing of agency
2. The disavowal of aggression
3. Erosion of our abilities to express ourselves
4. Curtailing of free expression
RE: Glimmers vs triggers - Magical Realist - Mar 6, 2026
I could never imagine anyone being triggered just by mentioning something until once in my meet-up group I pointed out that if you were buried alive you could just wait until you pass out due to lack of oxygen. This one woman who was in the group immediately freaked out and didn't want to hear it. I had no idea people could be so sensitive. But I guess they can be. She should never read Poe.