Glimmers: Illuminating the Path to Positive Mental Health
When we stop to consider the myriad of things that can affect our mental health, our focus is so often on the negative. Things such as painful memories that have a detrimental effect on our emotional well-being, triggers that can take us from ‘OK’ to ‘Nope’ in no time at all. And while these definitely play a significant role in our mental health - or lack thereof - it is equally important to explore the power of positive experiences and emotions.
Positive experiences or ‘Glimmers’ as they are sometimes called, are the moments that bring joy, contentment, and a sense of fulfilment, and they can have an equally profound impact on mental health.
Understanding Glimmers
Glimmers can be defined as any positive experience or stimulus that generates feelings of joy, happiness, or overall well-being. They act as powerful emotional and psychological catalysts, counterbalancing the negative impact of triggers and stressors in our lives. Glimmers can vary greatly from person to person, as they are highly individualised. What brings joy and contentment to one individual may not have the same effect on another. Someone may feel their heart swell with joy while listening to a particular piece of music for example, while someone else can not wait for it to end. They can also be fleeting moments – a brief snatch of bird song – or long lasting experiences – spending hours engaged in a favourite pastime.
They can be found in a hugely diverse range of activities such as creative pursuits, spending time in nature, pursuing hobbies and passions, connecting with loved ones, or experiencing moments of solitude and reflection. They can be as profound as the birth of a child or as ephemeral as the scent of a flower.
The Benefits of Glimmers
Glimmers have a deep impact on mental health and overall well-being, beyond the enjoyment of them in the moment. Some of their key benefits are:
Emotional Resilience: Glimmers act as emotional anchors, helping individuals build resilience to navigate life's challenges. Positive experiences create a buffer against negative emotions, helping individuals bounce back more easily from setbacks and adversity. The emotional resilience gained from glimmers can improve coping skills and reduce the risk of developing mental health disorders.
Mood Enhancement: Engaging in activities that evoke glimmers triggers the release of neurotransmitters such as dopamine, serotonin, and endorphins, which are associated with feelings of happiness and well-being. These mood-enhancing effects can have long-lasting positive effects on mental health. Regular exposure to glimmers can contribute to a more positive and optimistic outlook on life.
Stress Reduction: Glimmers provide a welcome respite from the daily stressors of life. Engaging in activities that bring joy and contentment helps individuals shift their focus away from stress and worry, promoting relaxation and a sense of calm. This reduction in stress levels can have a significant impact on overall mental well-being and physical health.
Increased Self-Esteem and Self-Worth: Glimmers contribute to a positive sense of self and increased self-esteem. Accomplishing goals, pursuing passions, and experiencing moments of joy and fulfilment can enhance an individual’s sense of self, leading to greater self-worth and confidence. Glimmers help individuals recognize their strengths and capabilities, fostering a positive self-image.
Improved Cognitive Function: Positive experiences and emotions associated with glimmers have a direct impact on cognitive function. They can enhance attention, memory, creativity, and problem-solving abilities, ultimately promoting cognitive well-being. Regular engagement with glimmers can boost cognitive flexibility and enhance mental clarity.
Enhanced Social Connections: Glimmers can often involve shared experiences and connections with others. Engaging in positive activities with loved ones fosters deeper social bonds, promotes a sense of belonging, and strengthens social support networks. These connections play a vital role in mental well-being, providing a source of comfort, understanding, and encouragement.
The Science of Glimmers
Neuroscience research can help us understand the underlying mechanisms that make glimmers a potent force in promoting mental health. The concept of neuroplasticity suggests that engaging in positive experiences can shape the brain's structure and function.
Neuroplasticity refers to the brain's ability to change and adapt in response to experiences throughout a person's lifetime. It is a fundamental property of the brain that allows it to reorganise its structure and function based on various factors, including environmental inputs, learning, and experiences. The brain forms new connections between neurons (our brain cells) and strengthens existing ones in response to repeated experiences, creating a neural network that adapts to our environment. This is how we build up patterns of behaviour, be they physical, mental or emotional. In effect, our experiences shape how we move through the world, and how we feel about it.
When we engage in positive activities or have positive experiences, such as learning something new, practising a skill, receiving social support, or experiencing joy and happiness, it can lead to changes in the brain's structure and function, creating new connections. Repeated exposure to positive experiences strengthens these connections, leading to the formation of new neural pathways or the reinforcement of existing ones.
As we engage in positive experiences more frequently, the connections between neurons become more efficient, and the related neural circuits become stronger. Our brain quite literally is learning to feel positive more often.
Positive experiences also stimulate the release of neurotransmitters like dopamine, serotonin, and endorphins. These chemicals play a crucial role in regulating mood, motivation, and pleasure through the activation of specific neural circuits known as reward pathways. They also promote those same connections between neurons and further enhance the long term benefits of positive experiences.
Strategies for Cultivating Glimmers
Cultivating glimmers in our lives can require conscious effort on our part, and a commitment to prioritising positive experiences. Here are practical strategies for harnessing the power of glimmers:
Identifying Personal Glimmers: Start by identifying activities, experiences, or moments that consistently bring joy, contentment, and fulfilment. Reflect on past experiences and pay attention to the activities that evoke positive emotions and a sense of well-being. Is there a creative or artistic endeavour you enjoy? Or perhaps a sport or group activity? Do you have a favourite place to be? Who are the people who make you laugh? Where do you feel included? What do you love to do more than anything?
Pursuing Passions and Hobbies: Engage in activities that align with your interests and passions. Whether it's painting, playing an instrument, gardening, or dancing, dedicating time to activities that bring you joy nurtures glimmers and promotes positive mental health. Make a conscious effort to prioritise these activities in your daily or weekly schedule.
Nurturing Relationships: Cultivate meaningful connections with loved ones and supportive individuals. Spending quality time with family and friends, engaging in heartfelt conversations, and participating in social activities can generate profound glimmers of happiness and belonging. Foster healthy relationships that provide emotional support, understanding, and a sense of community.
Practising Mindfulness: Mindfulness allows you to fully engage with the present moment, heightening your awareness and appreciation of positive experiences as they unfold. Notice those small and fleeting glimmers - the smell of freshly baked bread as you walk by a bakery, the laughter of children playing, the smile of a friend - all of these tiny moments of joy add up to a sense of contentment in your life.
Gratitude: Cultivate gratitude by regularly acknowledging and expressing gratitude for the positive aspects of your life. This practice helps shift your focus toward what brings you joy and fosters a positive mindset. Keep a gratitude journal, write thank-you notes, or simply take a few moments each day to reflect on the blessings in your life.
Self-Care: Prioritise self-care activities that rejuvenate and nourish your mind, body, and soul. Move your body in a way that works for you - whether that’s going to a gym or dancing around the kitchen with your children. Make sure you are well-nourished with food that you enjoy. Take the time to create a space where you can sleep well. Listen to your body. Go on that mental health walk. Self-care contributes hugely to the cultivation of glimmers and overall mental well-being. Need some help with this? Check out this article for more information about self care
Seek Out New Experiences: Embrace novelty and step out of your comfort zone. Trying new activities, exploring different environments, or taking on challenges can lead to unexpected glimmers and personal growth. Embracing new experiences expands your perspective, stimulates creativity, and keeps life vibrant and exciting.
Sharing Glimmers: Share your glimmers with others! Celebrate your positive experiences and spread joy by sharing them with loved ones or through creative outlets such as writing, art, or music. Sharing glimmers not only amplifies their positive impact on your mental well-being but also inspires and uplifts those around you.
In the pursuit of mental health and well-being, glimmers play a vital role. By consciously cultivating these positive experiences and nurturing moments of joy, we can enhance our emotional resilience, reduce stress, and promote overall mental well-being. When we are stressed, sad or angry, these glimmers can be hard to notice, but every time we make the effort to do so, we are training our brain to find more of them. And the more we find, the better we feel.
If you’d like help training your brain to find more glimmers, you book a free 20 minute consultation with me to find out how I can help.
