Why Glimmers may be a better way into mindfulness
Updated: Aug 19
Sometimes the word mindfulness just feels too serious, or like too much pressure.
In my weekly virtual Gentle Yoga class a few weeks ago, I offered up Deb Dana's concept of glimmers as another way into mindfulness. It was a hit!
One longtime student (and fabulous human) said glimmers felt more fun and "shimmery" to her. Glimmers made her want to be playful, whereas mindfulness felt kind of stodgy. Those are my words, not hers, but that was the vibe.
We often think of mindfulness as something that requires time, stillness, focus, and a certain level of calm. And if we're not feeling any of those ways before we start, it can seem tough to get into the mindset to engage with it.
But what if you could feel the effects in just a few minutes?
What if you didn’t have to already feel calm in order to access it?
This is where the idea of glimmers can be really helpful.
What are glimmers?
The term glimmers comes from Deb Dana’s work, based on Polyvagal Theory.
If triggers are cues of danger that activate your system, glimmers are cues of safety.
They’re small, often subtle moments when your body registers something like ease, connection, or just a sense that things are okay.
These moments are connected to the ventral vagal state, the part of the nervous system that supports feeling safe, connected, and regulated.
Why they matter
Your nervous system is always scanning for safety or threat.
Most of us are pretty good at noticing what feels stressful or overwhelming. But we tend to miss what feels good, settling, or supportive.
Glimmers help bring attention to those moments.
They’re a way of gently noticing "Right now, something is okay."
And over time, that starts to shift things.
How to notice a glimmer
Glimmers usually come through the senses. They can be really simple:
The warmth of sunlight on your skin
The sound of birds outside
A genuine smile from someone you trust
The feeling of your feet on the ground
A small moment of laughter
Moments like this are happening around us all the time. The key is pausing long enough to take it in.
Small moments, real impact
These moments can seem insignificant, but they aren’t.
Your nervous system learns through repetition. The more often you notice these small cues of safety, the more familiar they become.
Over time, that can support you in feeling more grounded, having easier access to calm, and being less overwhelmed by stress.
A gentle place to start
If mindfulness has ever felt out of reach, this can be a much softer way to begin.
You don’t need to change your routine or set aside a big chunk of time.
You might just ask yourself, once or twice a day: "Is there anything right now that feels even a little bit okay?"
And then take a few seconds to notice it.
That’s all it takes.
Change doesn’t always come from trying harder or doing more. Sometimes it starts with noticing what’s already here, in small and quiet ways.
If you’re interested in working more intentionally with your nervous system via somatic therapy or yoga and mindfulness, I invite you to reach out for a consultation.
