A “Glimmer” of Hope for the Stressed Student
Counseling offices are filling up again with the start of the new school year. Familiar anxieties around academics, friend groups, relationships and sports can quickly generate stress in teenagers. Unfortunately, the stressors associated with back-to-school are as common as the crisp new Adidas and North Face backpacks. The purpose of this blog is to offer a simple strategy for balancing the weight of returning to school with a lighter way of thinking and seeing the world around us.
Train Your Stressed-Out Brain With Glimmers
While most are familiar with the concept of triggers (more on that at the end of this entry), there is a newish word in town: glimmers. The opposite of triggers, glimmers are the intentional practice of noticing the happy, joyful, and peaceful micro moments throughout the day. If you have been anywhere near Instagram or TikTok this past year, you’ve probably seen a post talking about glimmers.
An Insta-worthy quote:
Slow down. This moment is full of glimmers.
Glimmers are not a new concept, though. The term was first coined in 2018 by Deb Dana, an LCSW who specializes in trauma and Polyvagal Theory. The general idea is that while triggers might signal our sympathetic nervous system (“fight, flight, freeze” response), glimmers cue our parasympathetic nervous system, which causes one to experience feelings of safety, peace and connection.
Our brains constantly scan the world around us and take in information. Am I in danger? Am I safe? Am I calm? Am I in distress? When we set our intention to notice and/or remember the joyful and calming moments in our lives, we allow a type of grounding and connection to happen. By acknowledging those micro moments, we invite a sense of balance and lower the feelings of hyper-vigilance. When we experience the mental health effects of noticing the glimmers, we naturally start to crave and look for more. When we begin to do this regularly, our brain feels safer and our anxiety is reduced.
Suggestions for Catching and Multiplying Glimmers
Be intentional. If you want to see the good and joy around you, set a goal of spotting one glimmer per day. This might be the infectious laugh of your best friend, a rainbow on the drive to school or a kind comment from a teacher.
Remember your people. If you are struggling to spot glimmers in real time, think about a favorite relative or loved one. Picture someone that you can be your authentic self with. Consider giving them a call or text to reconnect. Sometimes just thinking of that person can create space for a glimmer in your day.
Get outside. Nature is another great option for finding glimmers: Soaking up the sunshine, listening to a rainstorm, hearing birds on a walk, sitting next to a body of water, or walking barefoot on sand or grass.
Hug your pup! Hugging or playing with your pet can spark a glimmer in your day.
Listen to music. Music is so accessible and full of glimmers. Songs remind us of our favorite moments and can improve even the dullest days.
Reduce your screen time. While devices serve a purpose, they can distract us from moments of joy in the real world.
Keep a glimmer journal! Start writing down the various glimmers that you experience each day.
Enjoy hunting for glimmers this fall! Being intentional with this practice can reduce stress, regulate the nervous system, and create a feeling of connection to the people and world around you.
A Sidenote About Triggers
Some students report triggers that cause them intense distress with the return to school. The word “trigger” has become somewhat controversial and politicized in some circles. It is important to know that triggers can be very real emotional reactions to past stress or trauma and should not be dismissed. Triggers, which are different for everyone, activate our sympathetic nervous system – the “fight, flight or freeze” response. Intense feelings of panic, sadness, stress and fear can result. Knowing how to identify triggers and learning how to regulate oneself when they happen can be very empowering for a teen who is struggling. Therapy can help teenagers with this process.
How The Mind Spot Can Help
The Mind Spot can help you see the glimmers in your every day life or to help identify triggers. Make an appointment with Aimee Rodriguez or one of our counselors today. Meet Our Counselors