Ever felt joy wash over you, seemingly out of nowhere, even while doing something ordinary? That’s a “glimmer.” It’s a term I just learned, and I’m glimmering about it.

Here’s a definition:

Glimmers are those tiny, seemingly insignificant moments when you feel a sense of joy, pleasure, peace, or gratitude. 

These realizations feed the parasympathetic nervous system which then relaxes your mind and body. The opposite of a glimmer is a trigger, which activates the sympathetic nervous system, commonly known as the “fight of flight” response.

This article does far more justice about the mental health benefits from these soul-feeding glimmers, so instead I’ll talk about the connection between travel and glimmers. I’m really putting the puzzle pieces together at the moment — gotta love science-based information as to why travel is so good for the soul.

This past week, while having lots of “me time” in Montenegro, I’ve been having a lot of glimmer moments. During my dark days a few years back, I honestly thought I would never feel joy again. Now, it’s happening nearly every day.

Why? I think it’s got something to do with the fact I’ve finally relaxed into my extended slowmad vacation, not worrying about things I cannot control. I’ve got my “travel legs” back, meaning I’m comfortable in my skin, not worried about what strangers think of me, my clothing, my stupid backpack or lack of language skills. This frees up mental horsepower to let the joy take centre stage, where it belongs.

You know how when you come back from travelling abroad, your cup is full and you feel invigorated? It’s not just because you’ve taken a break from your every day life and all its responsibilities. It’s also because your nervous system is on uppers. You’ve been glimmered!

When you’re plucked from your regular life and dropped into a new environment, every single thing you see and experience is new and potentially wondrous. Bad translations on t-shirts and menus are funny as hell. New food is a feast for the senses. People-watching takes on a whole new level. You dig your toes into the sand and let the waves wash over your feet. You think “Wow, I can’t believe I’m here doing this!”

Each one of those is a drop into your cup. Your glimmery, full, cup.