. . . tap, tap, tap . . .
On the internet, people have been recording and watching videos called ASMR since 2010. ASMR stands for “Autonomous sensory meridian response.” It is a tingling sensation that usually begins on the scalp and moves down the back of the neck and upper spine. Many watch ASMR to calm themselves and their nerves after a long day. ASMR is a great way to relax and has many mental and physical benefits.
ASMR is more popular than ever before due to Gen Z’s interest in new ways to cope with their mental health struggles. There’s different forms of ASMR that people create. ASMR popularity has been gained by its potential of being able to put many to sleep or as it’s been said able to help them with insomnia. It helps people distract themselves with the soothing sounds and soft sounds can shift attention away from stresses, allowing people to ease into a state of relaxation quicker. According to “Sleep Doctor”, “Research suggests that of people who view ASMR videos, 82% do so in order to fall asleep more easily.” Even though it’s not scientifically proven, they’re searching how ASMR helps people.
Speaking from experience, almost every night I struggle sleeping. No matter how much I try doing the methods people say to do if you’re struggling to sleep, it never helps except watching personal attention or sensory sounds either on Tiktok or Youtube. I alway lay on my bed or on the couch in my living room with my phone in my hand, and headphones in, putting my phone on do not disturb mode so I won’t get any notifications. As I am watching my favorite asmr creator on Youtube, I don’t get the tingling feeling often but when it does there’s always this heavy feeling on my head. As if it’s inside of my brain and creating these sensations. It’s not a discomforting feeling but relaxing, and calming. Later, my eyes get heavy, and it’s almost impossible to open them up no matter how hard I try. I end up falling asleep and my mother taking my phone and headphones away.
ASMR not only helps with insomnia but it also helps with anxiety and calms your nerves down. It can help you distract you from whatever bothers you or people. There are a lot of different ways of ASMR triggers. The article, “Sleep Doctor” states, “People with depression, anxiety, and chronic pain have reported receiving benefits from ASMR content.” There’s many different sounds and triggers that help with depression, anxiety and pain. For example, soft sounds, crips noise, personal care like hair brushing, slow, soft whisper voice, and more. All these can help anyone relax.
ASMR helps the audience to sleep and calm their body, but also ASMR videos can be watched or made for entertainment purposes. There is a Youtuber who goes by the name of “Maya Winky ASMR”. Here she does ASMR, but instead dressed up as different characters like role play and makes funny, yet somehow relaxing, videos. On Tiktok, some people go live and either do gaming ASMR, keyboard tapping sounds, role-playing as a doctor or spa worker, etc.
Others however don’t think that ASMR helps them relax and in fact, hate the feeling of a soft-spoken voice and the feeling of having “tingles.” They might have Misophonia, which is when people have strong emotions or thoughts, tend to be negative, to certain sounds like chewing, lip smacking, brushing over the microphone, and so on.
There are many ways people relax, for instance doing yoga, meditate, massage, and so forth. ASMR is another way people choose to relax.
Did my writing stress you out? You should watch this video to calm your mind and nerves down!