Here’s what you need to know about ASMR

There’s no limit to the number of trends available on the internet. From medical, physical to psychological, people have dedicated a significant portion of the internet to promoting health. One of such ways is through …

Here’s what you need to know about ASMR

There’s no limit to the number of trends available on the internet. From medical, physical to psychological, people have dedicated a significant portion of the internet to promoting health. One of such ways is through ASMR. The topic of ASMR videos flooding the internet is no longer news. Many people use these ASMR videos to initiate a feeling of total calm and collectedness. You can too!

 

Some examples of these videos include; a person talking softly into a microphone, slicing soap shavings, or a person taping their fingernails. If you have ever wondered about these kinds of videos; what they are, and their importance to your relaxation, you no longer have to because it will be explained in this post.

 

 

What is ASMR?

Simply put, ASMR stands for Autonomous sensory meridian response. Although research into ASMR has not been extensive, its usage has continued to spread throughout the internet. ASMR is often referred to as a complete feeling of well-being along with a tingling sensation present in the scalp and down the back of the neck in response to a specific gentle stimulus, which is often a particular sound. According to the Guardian, ASMR is a feeling of otherworldly relaxation, which extends to every part of your body.

In ASMR, a few of the most common triggers include white noise, whispers, lip-smacking, watching somebody else perform a meticulous task, having the complete attention of another person, tapping, chewing, rustling paper, scratching, etc. Here you can find out more about ASMR.

How does ASMR ease stress?

There have been a few studies aimed at determining just exactly how ASMR can ease stress. In 2015, a study published in PeerJ regarding the effects of ASMR showed that it is capable of improving your mood including relieving symptoms of stress or depression, and even symptoms of chronic pain. Some ASMR methods like someone whispering into a microphone may come off as sexual, but a study shows its therapeutic effects are more significant. In fact, less than 2% of people who participated in this ASMR said it had enticed feelings for them.

 

In some cases, ASMR can reduce heart rate and induce deep relaxation, calm, and a deeper connection with other people which can influence a person’s health and happiness in the long run.

 

 

Other benefits of ASMR

  • Falling asleep easily.
  • Feeling relaxed.
  • Feeling cared for, or comforted.
  • Feeling better when sick or upset.
  • Known to help in reducing anxiety or pain by distraction.

 

 

How do you know if you have it?

For most people, the triggers are different and so, the best way to recognize an ASMR is if you begin feeling any of the above effects. For those still unsure about experiencing an ASMR, the videos below could serve as a great help.

 

ASMR video samples

Now, there have been several YouTube channels dedicated to ASMR that try to help people feel better and relax. There is a new channel incorporating ASMR which will be bringing elements of luxury, lifestyle and fashion intertwining ASMR all together called DiscoveringASMR. They have announced they will be bringing ASMR videos to help everyone relax, recharge and restore so this is definitely a YouTube channel and informative website (DiscoveringASMR.com) we should all subscribe to since this sounds exciting. Other more seasoned channels that have been covering this kind of content have been, W Magazine (incorporating celebrities engaging in ASMR-inspired interviews), Zach Choi, Gabi ASMR, and HunniBee ASMR.

Whether you are trying to quiet the busyness of your day or you are looking to get some tingles and stimulation for your mind, the autonomous sensory meridian response may just be what you need to add a little extra to your day or evening.