Glimmers – Small Moments that Support Wellbeing

Glimmers at Work: Small Moments That Support Employee Wellbeing (and beyond!)

Workdays are full of demands, deadlines, and constant stimulation. Over time, this can lead us into a low-level stress state that in turn can create to fatigue, disengagement, and burnout. So where do ‘glimmers’ come in and how can they help?

What are Glimmers?

Glimmers are small, positive cues that signal safety and calm to the nervous system. They offer a simple, practical way to counterbalance stress during the workday. When we start to notice and create these micro-moments of calm, they can regulate our nervous systems, improve focus, and help us feel more grounded at work.

From workplace triggers to workplace glimmers

In a work environment, triggers are everywhere:

• A flood of emails
• Back-to-back meetings
• Tight deadlines
• Difficult conversations
• Notifications and interruptions

These cues can push the body into a stress response: faster heart rate, shallow breathing, tension, and mental overload. While this response can help in short bursts, staying in it all day reduces productivity, creativity, and wellbeing.

Glimmers do the opposite. They are brief experiences that shift the nervous system from stress mode into a calmer, more regulated state. They don’t require time off or a major schedule change, they can happen right at a desk, in a meeting, or on a quick break.

Why glimmers matter at work

We naturally focus on problems and pressures. In the workplace, this can mean that we spend most of the day reacting to what’s urgent, stressful, or demanding. Intentionally noticing small positive moments helps rebalance that experience. Over time, this can:

• Reduce feelings of overwhelm
• Improve emotional regulation
• Support focus and decision-making
• Increase resilience during busy periods
• Contribute to a more positive workplace culture

Glimmers are not about ignoring challenges, they are about giving the nervous system moments to reset so that you can better handle those challenges.

What workplace glimmers look like

Glimmers at work are often subtle and easy to overlook:

• A warm drink during a pause between tasks
• Natural light coming through a window
• A friendly chat with a colleague
• A moment of quiet before a meeting starts
• Crossing something off a to-do list
• Listening to a favourite song on the way to work
• Taking a deep breath before opening the next email

These moments are brief but noticing them helps create small pockets of calm throughout the day.

5 ways we can find glimmers during the workday

1. Set a simple intention
Look for one or two glimmers during your workday — perhaps during your morning coffee, lunch break, or between meetings.

2. Build mindful pauses into the day
Short pauses to breathe, stretch, or look away from a screen can make it easier to notice what feels good or calming in the moment.

3. Let the moment register
When a glimmer appears, pause for a few seconds to really notice it. What do you see, hear, or feel? This helps the nervous system absorb the benefit.

4. Keep a glimmer log
A quick note at the end of the day about small positive moments can shift attention away from only remembering what was stressful.

5. Share glimmers as a team
Managers or teams can normalise this practice by inviting each other to share a small positive moment at the start of a meeting. This builds connection while reinforcing the habit.

Supporting a culture of glimmers

Leaders and organisations can make it easier for employees to experience glimmers by:

Encouraging real breaks away from screens

• Providing access to natural light or calming spaces
• Modelling mindful pauses and realistic pacing
• Recognising small wins and everyday contributions
• Creating moments of genuine connection within teams

Glimmers are small by nature, but their impact on workplace wellbeing can be significant. By helping employees notice and value these micro-moments of calm, organisations can support a healthier, more resilient, and more focused workforce