Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (What is it and how can it help?)

This month, I want to talk about stress management. And I have a simple and unique technique for you to try out that you can use whenever you want to relax your body and shut off your mind for awhile. It’s called Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response.

Stress affects everyone differently. Sometimes, you’re very aware of it —your muscles tense, perhaps you grind your teeth causing headaches, you have trouble concentrating. Other times, you might not even notice your body is suffering until it sends out a serious S.O.S. (which is obviously not good).

So, it’s important to make sure you have daily, weekly, and long-term solutions to handle stress and anxiety, so you can keep your body and mind in good shape.  

So let’s learn how Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response can help you sleep better and reduce stress!

ASMR stands for Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response. In plain English, it is a tingling sensation on the back of your neck and scalp in response to a sound (and for some people, hand movements). If you’ve ever gotten the shivers from someone whispering near your ear, you’ve experienced ASMR.

The feeling can be quite pleasant, a bit like the buzz you have after a neck massage, and more and more people use Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response to relax. 

It’s been cropping up everywhere online in the past few years, but there are some old school roots. Listening to the rhythm of ocean waves or the pitter-patter of rain is nothing new, and spawned a whole generation of electronics in the 1990s (hello, Sharper Image sound machine).

The actual “technical” term wasn’t coined until 2010, where else, but on the Internet. In fact, there really isn’t a science behind the phenomenon, but don’t worry, it’s not dangerous and super easy to enjoy. 

All you need is a pair of earphones. 

Now, not everyone can experience ASMR, and which sounds trigger that tingling sensation (adorably referred to within the community as “tingles”) can vary depending on how you’re feeling. The good news is that there are plenty of options for you to find something that works for you. 

Most ASMR videos or audio tracks fit into one of these categories: 

• Sound Triggers – These videos take you through various noises that might prompt tingles without any talking, like tapping, crinkling paper, pop rocks (yes, the favorite candy that sounds like Rice Krispies when wet).
• Ambient Background – These videos might be of a busy market, a walk in the woods, or people doing mundane tasks like loading a dishwasher or building a birdhouse. They don’t have music or any kind of narration.
  
• Role-Playing – This type of ASMR is where you see a lot of innovation from content creators on Youtube. ASMR artists (or “ASMRtist”) pretend to be flight attendants, spa technicians, makeup artists, etc. and you’re their client. These videos aren’t for everyone, but they are fun if you’re into it. 

If you just want to dip your toes into Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response, try this Ocean Meditation by the very popular ASMRtist, Maria, who runs the YouTube channel Gentle Whispering ASMR. 

It may feel a little woo-woo at first, but you’ll be in good company! Here are Jennifer Garner and Cardi B giving it a try in W Magazine’s interview series, where celebrities answer questions while making their own ASMR track. 

So let your fingers to the walking, and search YouTube and Spotify for ASMR, pop in your earbuds and see if this cultural and creative movement can help you find a bit more relaxation.   

Have you tried ASMR? Has it helped you relax? Let me know about your experience in the comments!

LOVE + relaxing tunes!