I recently read a blog where the author Deb Dana discussed using Glimmers and Glows to help shift the perspectives and habits towards a more productive approach for supporting daily challenges in neurodivergent individuals’ lives. Glimmers refer to small moments when our biology is in a place of connection or regulation, which cues our nervous system to feel safe or calm.
‘We are so primed to feel triggers and encouraged to know what our triggers are. Yet, we are not taught to know our GLIMMERS’
*Resilience is not about avoiding stress but about recovering from it. Glimmers provide a gentle, manageable way to practice resilience by shifting attention away from what is overwhelming towards what is nourishing. Over time, these micro-moments help rewire the brain for safety and connection, counteracting the hypervigilance or shutdown that neurodivergent individuals may experience.
Studies on *neuroplasticity show that small, repeated experiences of safety can reshape the brain, making it easier to access calm states over time. Practices like mindfulness and savouring positive experiences have been shown to increase vagal tone, a measure of how well the nervous system can regulate stress. For neurodivergent individuals, intentional focus on sensory Glimmers, such as the texture of a soft blanket or the sound of rain, can help reduce overstimulation and support emotional regulation, a short CAT (Classical Autogenic Training) exercise will help with awareness and physical and psychologically relaxation.
- Neurodivergent Glimmers may not look like what society expects; they can be as simple as:
- The sound of your favourite song
- A moment of sensory comfort like holding a warm mug of tea
- A reassuring text from a trusted friend
- Sitting in a CAT or Meditation position
At the end of the day reflect on small moments that made you feel, even slightly lighter or calmer. Write it down or replay it in your mind to amplify its impact. Contemplate in a meditative position (lying down, sitting in a lotus position) stay present, and cultivate inner peace and calmness.
Create a Glimmer toolkit:
Neurodivergent individuals often benefit from having predictable go-to resources for self-regulation. Build a Glimmer toolkit with sensory or emotional anchors that work for you, such as:
- Noise-cancelling headphones or a weighted blanket
- 5 minutes of CAT to balance your Alert mechanism
- A checklist for your daily chores
Use Glimmers to navigate overwhelm. When stress or sensory overload begins to creep in, pause and ask, “Where is a Glimmer right now?” This might mean stepping outside for fresh air, noticing the warmth of sunlight, or focusing on your breath.
Practice: Place your hand on your chest and take three slow breaths. Take a CAT position and say, “My dominant arm is heavy” three times, “My arms and legs are heavy,” “My dominant arm is warm” three times, “My arms and legs are warm,” “My breath breathes me” three times, “I am at peace” three times, and cancel.
Turn *Glimmers into Glows. While Glimmers are fleeting, Glows are built by intentionally savouring these moments. Neurodivergent individuals often need time to process experiences, so allowing yourself to linger with a positive sensation can deepen its effects.
Practice: When you experience a Glimmer, pause and notice how it feels in your body. Let yourself stay with that feeling.
**Studies also show that the *Nervous System according to Dobson, the nervous system is not only a biological entity but also a complex network highly responsive to personal interests. This concept suggests that when individuals experience the glimmers, meaning activities they are genuinely interested in, their nervous system is more likely to respond positively leading to increase focus, creativity and overall well-being – “when a person with an interest -based nervous system must be personally interested, challenged, find it novel or urgent right now or nothing happens”
***Deb Dana, a licensed clinical social worker specialising in complex trauma and author of “The Polyvagal Theory in Therapy,”