Keeping Ashland Healthy - Episode 131 – Finding the Light in Small ThingsKeeping Ashland Healthy - Episode 131 – Finding the Light in Small Things
Keeping Ashland Healthy
Have you ever noticed how a favorite song, a warm cup of coffee, or sunlight through your window can instantly make you feel a little better?On the next episode of Keeping Ashland Healthy, we're exploring the power of "glimmers"—the small moments that...
11:57•23 Jun 2026
Finding Glimmers: Small Moments That Calm Your Nervous System
Episode Overview
- Glimmers are small, often overlooked moments that signal safety to the nervous system, in contrast to triggers that signal danger or pain.
- Most people have experienced trauma, so the brain is trained to look for danger; intentionally noticing glimmers gently rebalances this focus.
- Glimmers don’t minimise real struggles like grief, financial stress, or caregiving; they give the body brief moments of rest amid ongoing challenges.
- Building a habit of noticing glimmers can start with a simple mental list over a week or two, without forcing gratitude or pretending everything is fine.
- Parents can help children by naming and exploring glimmers together, such as noticing clouds, colours, or other small, comforting details.
“Glimmers are what safety feels like in the smallest possible doses.”
How do people find strength in their mental health journey when life feels heavy? This conversation between David Ross and clinician-writer Elise Schrader offers a surprisingly simple approach: look for tiny “glimmers” hiding in your day.
Instead of focusing on dramatic life overhauls, Elise talks about the opposite of triggers: “Glimmers are what safety feels like in the smallest possible doses.” These are the little moments your nervous system reads as calm and safe—a good cup of coffee, a dog curled at your feet, a sunrise over Ashland, or even a pretty fountain you spot while driving past Ashland University.
David and Elise chat through why the brain is constantly on the lookout for danger, especially after trauma like bullying, divorce, or a car accident. While triggers are easy to notice, glimmers take a bit more practice. The good news? They’re already woven into everyday life; you’re just often too busy, stressed, or glued to a screen to notice them. They’re careful to make an important point: this isn’t forced gratitude or pretending everything is fine.
Elise explains that, “Our nervous system needs moments of rest, and that’s what a glimmer offers.” Glimmers don’t erase grief, financial stress, caregiving pressures, or health worries, but they can give your body tiny pockets of relief. You’ll hear personal examples too—David’s morning coffee-and-reading ritual, Elise’s joy in time with her daughter and family, and even a friend’s love of wildflowers.
They also touch on how parents can help children spot their own glimmers, like noticing clouds and talking about what makes them beautiful. If you’re feeling worn down and short on time, this chat shows how you can support your mental health in a “free, low-cost” way: start with one week of simply noticing what feels safe, warm, or quietly happy. What small moment might be your next glimmer?
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