Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response. ASMR. Tingles. Anxiety relief. Brain massages.
In Denmark we have a saying. "Dear child has many names" - meaning, you give something you hold dear (or sometimes the opposite) many nicknames. That is definitely the case when it comes to ASMR.
If you don't know what ASMR is, I will give you a brief introduction. It is a relaxing or sedative feeling that some people experience when hearing certain sounds or seeing certain sights. Some people experience tingles, pleasant goosebumps that start from the top of your head and rush all the way down to your lower back. Actually, my tingles sometimes also manifest in my upper, left thigh... For some reason. But that's another story for another day. Or not. Whatever.
I suffer from generalized anxiety and bouts of depression. These are just facts of life for me. I got the diagnosis when I was 20. Today, I am 28. I have learnt to cope with my anxiety and to realise the warning signs when I am falling back into depression. I have even come so far as to be able to teach young people how to cope with their symptoms. It gives me a tremendous amount of please to be able to turn my negative into something positive for others. I think it does me just as much good as it does them.
Even though I have come far, I still slip sometimes. And some days are harder than others. Usually, when it gets really rough, I will grab a book and dive into another world to escape my pain. It usually works. Sometimes it just makes things worse. Sadly.
Last year I was browsing YouTube and stumbled upon a Slime ASMR video by StacyAster - please don't ask how that happened, I can't explain it. But I am grateful that it did. The video was 25 minutes long and I was transfixed the entire way through. I couldn't explain what kept me watching, but I felt like I had gone into some sort of trance, watching and listeting to these female hands handle different blobs of slime. Sounds like really bad porn actually. But when the video was done, I felt the most serene sense of calm, I had experienced in days. So I watched another. And another. And another.
I get anxiety and bouts of depression that sometimes makes it hard for me to read. Or sleep. Or do my job. But ASMR has given me a relief and an escape. I listen to it while falling asleep, letting my mind tune into the soft spoken whispers or the gentle, repeated tappings of my favourite ASMRtists and off to sleep I go. When work gets me down and I feel like giving up, I put on my headphones and some ASMR and suddenly the world doesn't seem quite as bad. When I can't read because my anxiety weighs me down, I turn off everything around me except for my ASMR and suddenly a calm comes over me and my book appeals to me once more.
ASMR has meant a great change in my life during the last 6 months and I hope you will give it a try as well, if you haven't already. Whether you suffer from anxiety, insomnia, depression or stress - or if you just need a calm escape - I think ASMR can do wonders for you.
To get you started, I here give you 5 of my favourite ASMRtists.
ASMRMagic
The first ASMRtist that I fell in love with was ASMRMagic. Her gentleness, her devotion and her creativity really touched me as did her own story - one I could really relate to. She has one of the best whispers of any artist I am aware of. I have watched all of her videos almost religiously and for a while, when I watched other artists, it almost felt like cheating because I just loved her so much.
Alana ASMR
Alana's channel was the second one I fell in love with. I found her because of ASMRMagic, who recommended her in on of her videos, so it felt a little less like cheating to start watching her videos. Alana does whispers, positive affirmations as well as really brain melting microphone scratching, tapping and brushing.
Relaxing Male ASMR
If you think you might enjoy a male voice more than a female one, then Relaxing Male ASMR - or Tom, for short - is my best recommendation for you. Not only does Tom have a great, relaxing voice (as the name implies) he is also very musically talented and often makes tracks out of different, soothing sounds and beats. That, coupled with his voice = instant tingles.
Ozley ASMR
Ozley appeals to the fantasy lover in me. She does outdoors ASMR videoes as well as gentle singing and humming, often songs from Lord of the Rings or Game of Thrones. Her voice is absolutely amazing and I am always impressed by her ability to sing both softly and clearly. If tapping and brushing are not to your liking, then Ozley might be just the thing for you.
The ASMR Psychologist
This channel is the newest addition to my favourite ASMRtists. The ASMR Psychologist is actually a certified psychologist who uses her training and education coupled with ASMR for the pleasure and benefit of all us poor souls out there. The ASMR Psychologist is especially good if you suffer from insomnia, as she does many sleep hypnosis videos that actually work.
Thanks dlutts - it really has helped calm my anxiety especially when going to sleep. It definitely has a meditative effect which I really enjoy.
Sorry to hear about your ASMR, Maja. I checked out some of the videos. It seems that ASMR is a lot like meditation.