Glimmers over dimmers: a PR strategy for your own sanity
Rebranding your mental state focusing on glimmers over dimmers.
Over the break I started exploring the relationship between stress and the nervous system. As someone who considers myself quite upbeat and positive, towards the end of 2024 I was finding myself getting weighed down by the big issues ie housing crisis, cost of living (why does an oat latte cost $8), war between Russia/Ukraine, war between Israel/Palestine. Violence, despair, rinse and repeat.
I learnt a few important things first up:
The autonomic nervous system (ANS) has two key branches: The sympathetic nervous system (SNS) (fight-or-flight) and the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) (rest-and-digest)[1].
High-performing individuals often operate in a constant state of heightened SNS activation, which can lead to adrenal fatigue, emotional exhaustion, and burnout[2].
Without intentional nervous system regulation (e.g., mindfulness, movement, proper rest), the body remains in a chronic state of hypervigilance, reducing overall health and performance sustainability[3].
Burnout, The secret to solving the stress cycle by Emily Nagoski and Amelia Nagoski was an excellent resource. In their work they discussed the concept of stress vs. the stress cycle explaining that stress isn't just a mental experience; it’s a physiological cycle that must be completed to avoid long-term burnout. Which is why it’s important to physically release stress from your body by exercising, practicing breath work, chatting with a friend or laughing – you literally need to exorcise that stress from your body like the demon that it is.
They also discussed the concept of Human Giver Syndrome and the danger of over giving – which typically affects women who are socialised to be seen as human givers and expected to prioritise others’ needs over their own. Leading to chronic exhaustion, resentment, emotional depletion, and fuels burnout.
This led to my favourite section – why rest and joy are essential for true resilience. I, like many, was of the belief that working harder would fix burnout and make you less stressed but the opposite is true: rest, connection, and joy are the antidotes. As someone addicted to progress this idea literally blew my mind.
The Nagoski sisters explained "The Monitor" (the brain’s internal gauge of progress) causes frustration when effort doesn't lead to immediate results, but celebrating small wins and cultivating joy helps reset motivation and prevent emotional exhaustion.
Vis a vie, sustainable productivity comes from balancing effort with pleasure and recovery. Joy and rest aren’t luxuries, they are critical for resilience and peak performance.
So, how to practice the celebrations of small wins and cultivate a sense of joy when working in an industry plugged into the relentless media cycle reinforcing our inherent negativity bias, activating our SNS (fight or flight system) and generally leaving the body in a constant state of hypervigilance?
Asking for a friend.
First and foremost I did consider packing it all in to become a Pilates instructor only to discover “Glimmertock.” The concept of "glimmers" is a moment that evokes feelings of joy, peace, or safety.
Examples of Glimmers include:
Spotting a rainbow.
A spectacular sunrise.
Spending time in nature.
Hearing your favourite song in the supermarket.
The companionship of your pet.
Doing something creative.
Looking at a photograph of someone you love.
The smell of cut grass.
Essentially a glimmer is an antidote to a trigger (or dimmer), which is a cue from your environment that activates your body, via the nervous system.
This idea aligns with Polyvagal Theory developed by behavioural neuroscientist Dr. Stephen Porges and expanded by Deb Dana, who introduced the concept of ‘glimmers’ in therapy.
The theory suggests that our nervous system is constantly scanning for safety or danger, and glimmers are signals that help regulate the nervous system toward a calm, socially engaged state. In our overstimulated world, these content moments are not just pleasant and comforting, but they may be the answer to regulating our overwhelmed nervous systems.
After discovering such a revelation I am now endeavouring to acknowledge the glimmers as they happen or reflectively as a way to cultivate joy and regulate my nervous system.
In Australia as the election cycle hits overdrive, we are going to be consuming a lot of information about how the current Government has failed to deliver housing affordability, the impact of inflation and low productivity to households contributing to cost of living pressures, a healthcare system under enormous strain and unable to service communities – especially in rural and regional areas. Debates on energy uncertainty as the transition stalls while electricity bills soar, combined with a concerning undercurrent of antisemitism and hatred that is pervading public discourse.
Leading to the ultimate question up for discussion, is Australia still the lucky country? And if not, could it become the lucky country again under new leadership. This will be the first time that baby boomers will be outnumbered by Millennials and Gen Z at the ballot box, so this will be a testament to what young people value within Governments.
Which leads to the need to embrace glimmers, because there are about to be a deluge of dimmers hitting your screens.
Choosing glimmers over dimmers is about actively seeking, noticing, and celebrating the small positive moments that help rewire the brain for joy, connection, and calm. While dimmers are inevitable, focusing on glimmers can shift your mental state toward greater well-being.
So, to kick you off, here are some of my reflective glimmers from last week and over the weekend for you to enjoy:
· My sister’s puppy Billy (the ultimate glimmerati)
· Trail run at beautiful Govett’s Leap at Blackheath in the Blue Mountains
· Sunshine peeking through the trees
· A full moon splashing across the lake
· Polaroids at my cousin’s buck’s party
[1] https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/understanding-the-stress-response
[2] https://www.apa.org/topics/stress/body
[3] Burnout, The secret to solving the stress cycle, E Nagoski and A Nagoski