We are living in an era of constant information overload. Doom scrolling. Brain rot. Double screening. We have become experts at disconnecting from reality. We pack our brains so full of noise, notifications, that we rarely pause to look at what’s in front of us. We are losing the thread back to our bodies, back to the present, back to our lives.

Deb Dana, therapist and polyvagal theorist, speaks of glimmers: micro-moments of safety, joy or peace that bring us back to calm, relaxed, grounded, connected states. Petting your dog. The crackle and glow of a fire. Steam rising off a cup of tea. A stranger’s genuine smile. Noticing these small cues can help the autonomic nervous system shift into what Dana calls the safe-and-social state - the place where we can rest, connect and think clearly.

Our brains, however, aren’t wired to notice this easily. We have a natural negativity bias, which makes threat and danger far easier for us to spot than glimmers are. A scroll-worthy headline lands instantly. A moment of quiet safety often slips right past us.

This is why glimmers require intention. Seeking them out isn't passive; it's a practice. Each time we notice one and let ourselves stay with it, even briefly, we help build new neural pathways that support emotional regulation and long-term resilience.

In a world engineered to keep our nervous systems on high alert, choosing to notice a glimmer is a small act of resistance. Not more input, but a shift in our attention. Not scrolling past, but staying just long enough to let safety register in your body.

Today, try just noticing one glimmer. You don’t need to search for it or make it happen. Just go about your day as normal. If, at some point, you notice anything that feels slightly easier, lighter or calmer than a moment before, pause for a few seconds and take note. What did you notice? Where do you feel it in your body?

How to Feel Calm Again in a World Designed to Keep You Anxious