Mindfulness Practice

Let’s talk about a new buzzword making waves: glimmers. It’s the softer, more optimistic cousin of triggers. You know, those things that set you off and send you straight to fight-or-flight mode? Glimmers, on the other hand, are all about the good vibes – those small, everyday moments that make you feel calm, safe, or just plain chuffed. What Are Glimmers, Exactly? The term was coined by Deb Dana, a clever clinician specialising in polyvagal theory (fancy science stuff about your nervous system). Glimmers are those fleeting moments of joy or connection – like the smell of a braai wafting through the air, the warmth of the sun on your skin, or even hearing your favourite song on the radio. They’re like mini pick-me-ups for your soul. The Science-y Bit While triggers send your nervous system into overdrive (hello, cortisol!), glimmers work the opposite way. They tap into your parasympathetic nervous system – the one that helps you chill out and feel lekker. When you notice glimmers, you’...

When we talk about healing, it often feels like we’re preparing for a battle. “I’m healing so I can confront my trauma, face my pain, and wrestle my anxiety to the ground!” That sounds brave, sure, but let’s be honest: you’ve been doing that already. You’ve survived; you’ve fought. You’re not healing to keep enduring the struggle—you’re healing to reclaim joy, happiness, and the freedom to actually live your life. Mastering Chaos Pain? You’ve got it handled. Life throws its lemons, and you figure out how to keep going—maybe not with lemonade, but at least with lemon water (because who has time for sugar?). Anxiety? It’s like an old opponent whose tricks you know too well. Depression? It’s practically a terrible roommate—always there, eating your snacks and leaving everything in disarray. But joy? That’s the curveball. Happiness can feel sneaky, like it’s too good to be true. When you’ve been in survival mode for so long, feeling good can be... unsettling. It’s like putting on jeans aft...