Finding Your Glimmers: A Somatic Reset

Did you know that the nervous system is constantly scanning the world for two things? Danger or safety?

When anxiety hits, it's just your body getting stuck in a dangerous scan. But today, we're going to flip the switch. We're going to retrain your mind to hunt for glimmers, those tiny, micron moments of safety that physically calm your heart. Let's reset.

Welcome to calming anxiety. I'm Martin and whether you're starting your day or needing a midday rescue, I'm just glad you're here. This is your 10 minute somatic reset. Let's jump straight in.

Find your quiet place now where you won't be disturbed. Somewhere comfortable where you can safely close your eyes. If you're sitting, plant your feet flat on the floor and if you're lying down, let your legs fall open.

We are going to start with the double inhale breath. This is currently the fastest proven way to hack your nervous system and turn off the panic response.

It looks like this. A long in breath through the nose, then a second shorter inhale on top to fully pop those lungs open.

Followed by a long, slow, sigh out through the mouth. Let's do it together. Inhale deeply. Add that second sip of air and sigh it out.

Long and slow. Again, inhale. Sips a more and relieves like a balloon deflating.

Keep this rhythm going. Go on. The double inhale will signal to your brain that you are safe. You are taping back and forth.

Now bring your attention to your jaw. Unclench your teeth. Drop your tongue away from the roof of your mouth. Let that wave of softness travel down your neck into your shoulders.

Visualize a heavy backpack slipping off your shoulders and thudding onto the floor.

You do not have to carry it for the next 10 minutes. Scan down to your hands. Are they making fists? Then open them.

Scan down to your belly. Is it tight? Then allow it to go soft. There is no arm or knee did here.

Let your body feel heavy and supported and held by the surface beneath you.

You are here. You are safe. You are connected. Now that your body is settling, we are going to practice glimmer hunting.

Anxiety tells us to look for triggers, but a glimmer is the opposite. It is a micro moment of safety, a connection or a joy. I want you to bring to mind a glimmer from the last few days. It does not have to be a big event.

Maybe the simple warmth of your coffee mug in your hands. Maybe it was a patch of sunlight hitting the floor. Maybe it was the wag of a dog's tail or a text from a friend. Find one small moment.

See it clearly. Where were you? What did it look like? Now the secret isn't just thinking about it.

It is feeling it. Where does that glimmer live in your body? When you picture that sunlight or that smile, do you feel a warmth in your chest? A tingling in your hands or a softening in your stomach?

Focus entirely on the physical sensation of the goodness. Expand it. Imagine that feeling growing from a tiny spark into a warm glow that fills your whole torso.

As you hold this feeling, visualize and repeat these affirmations silently with me.

I am open to the good that is here. I am safe in this moment. I trust my body to handle this.

My nervous system is learning to relax.

Feel the shift. You are teaching your brain that safety exists. You are rewiring your filter to see the light, not just the dark. Take a deep breath in, hold at the top for a moment and then truly relax and unwind as you breathe out.

And then once more, imagine these words in your beautiful mind and repeat. I am open to the good that is here. I am safe in this moment. I trust my body to handle this.

My nervous system is learning to relax.

And now just feel your breathing. Appreciating this gift of time from yourself to your soul. Take a deep breath in now and then a long breath out. Now wiggle your fingers and toes.

And when you are ready, gently open your eyes. Notice the room around you. Find one color you like. That is a glimmer right there. Before you go, here are today's three caring tips to keep this glimmer mindset going.

One, set a glimmer goal. Tomorrow challenge yourself to find just three tiny things that feel good. A nice smell, a funny song, a soft blanket. When you spot them say that's a glimmer to yourself, it trains your brain to lower anxiety.

Two, the somatic shake. If you do feel stress building up, stand up and literally shake your hands and legs for 30 seconds. Animals do this to shake off trauma and it works for us too. And three, protect your morning.

Do not look at your phone for the first 10 minutes of the day. Give your nervous system a chance to wake up and safety, not in reaction mode. Thank you for putting your faith in trust in calming anxiety. If this session helped you find a little light today, please hit that follow button so you don't miss the next one.

And if you know someone who's feeling heavy, feel free to share this episode with them. Maybe this will be their glimmer today. Take care my friend. Truly, smile often especially in the mirror, positive thoughts as often as you can.

And then in every thought, word indeed, it's simple. Be kind.