ASMR and how it can ease your anxiety
If you’ve ever watched a video or listened to sounds that inexplicably sent tingles down your spine, chances are you’ve experienced Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR). It’s a difficult feeling to explain, but some describe it as a sort of “pleasurable headache”. Before we go ahead, plug in some headphones and watch this video.
Did you experience a strange, yet pleasant sensation? You might be one of the lucky few who have ASMR. We’re guessing you’re also not put off by the sounds of people eating.
Some have called it a “braingasm,” but of those who experience ASMR, only five per cent say they watch these videos – of which there are thousands on YouTube – for pleasure. For most, it’s just a relaxing sensation. In fact, many watch them right before bed to induce a sense of calm and sleepiness.
The popularity of ASMR videos is part of the reason why American painter Bob Ross’ TV shows The Joy of Painting and Beauty is Everywhere have experienced a surge in popularity over recent years.
And it could help you, too. According to the first (and, as yet, only) scientific study of the phenomenon, 70 per cent of participants said they used ASMR to help them deal with stress and anxiety.
Everyone who experiences ASMR has a different “trigger” – whether aural or visual – but the top three most common types are whispering (75 per cent), personal attention (69 per cent) and crisp sounds (64 per cent).
One participant in the study told the researcher they found ASMR videos after experiencing a relaxing trip to the hairdresser and looking to replicate the feeling. “I was totally amazed, I can only describe what I started feeling as an extremely relaxed, trance like state that I didn’t want to end, a little like how I have read perfect meditation should be but I never ever achieved.”
If you’d like to see more ASMR videos, simply type “ASMR” into the search bar on YouTube. You’ll be astounded to see how many videos there are, plus it’s comforting to know you’re not the only one experiencing this bizarre sensation.
Tell us in the comments below, did you find this video relaxing?