A few weeks ago at work, I overheard someone say, “A.S.M.R.” Normally when I overhear things at work, I stare at my computer screen for a minute, open my Google doc titled, “New Ways to Avoid People,” and start furiously typing.
This time I hesitated for only a moment before popping up and walking two cubicles down.
“I’m so sorry I totally meant to didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but I heard you say ASMR and I just had to come over. I’m Jules, by the way because despite the fact that I’ve sat two desks away from you for a year I’ve been really busy with this whole Google doc thing. I’ve been listening to ASMR for ages and everything you’re hearing about it is TOTALLY true!”
Many years ago, a fellow blogger clued me into this newfangled phenomenon called Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response, or, ASMR. “Just watch this and keep an open mind,” she said. “I swear it’s not dirty.”
As I watched this pretty, whispering blonde woman, grateful I was in the privacy of my own home, I suddenly felt tingles on the sides of my scalp. It was so pleasant, in such a benign and innocent way, that I laughed out loud. It was similar to the feeling I used to get when my sister or a friend would brush and braid my hair. I’m pretty sure it’s exactly how a dog feels when you scratch behind his or her ears in that juuuust right spot.
I began a nightly ritual of falling asleep to these videos, my ex chiding me as I’d put on headphones. “Gonna listen to your whispers?” he’d tease. He was the only one who knew about this little routine, because, well, it was a little…weird.
Until now!
As my work conversation proves, ASMR has exploded over the past six years. Some people theorize that the sound of a nurturing woman’s voice brings us back to early childhood. Many people, like me, use it as a sleep aid.
Where there used to be half a dozen ASMR “artists” on YouTube, there are now thousands. The woman above, Maria from Gentle Whispering ASMR (my personal favorite), has well over a million YouTube subscribers. Even people like Olivia Munn are hopping onboard. I’m pretty sure there’s now an ASMR artist for anything you can dream up. Turning library book pages? Chewing gum? Folding towels? Scalp massage? (I would keep going but I’m afraid of what I might discover.)
If you’re looking for a little soul-comfort food, I highly recommend browsing YouTube and picking up some dreamy tingles, free of charge.
Hear Here are some of my ASMR favorites:
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Have you heard of ASMR? What do you think?
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Go Jules Go 
Um..not creepy at all………… *raises eyebrow*
Some of them are so incredibly elaborate that I can’t decide if it’s creepy or worthy of celebration. Then again, if people knew how much time I spent photoshopping myself with Darren Criss, they’d ask the same question.
[crinkles paper] [gently taps keyboard]
[whispers] Heard of it?…
My daughter is obsessed with it. Both my kids told me about this new phenomenon last year and I thought they were kidding.
Julia does this thing with “squishies” or soft toys that “slow rise”. She has a few inside plastic wrap so they make this soothing crinkling sound. She videotapes herself doing this on her phone. Apparently, this is a solid career move for her?
In any case, I think if it makes you relax and find peace of mind, it’s all good. 🙂
Get her a good microphone ASAP – you’ll never have to work another day in your life!
Sounds good…I am thinking that a version of ASMR done by yours truly on Law of Attraction could lessen people’s worries and help them. I will let you know.
Scott
Ooh I love the idea of using that as a topic! Keep us posted!
I will.
Can you believe, this is new to me. I had not heard about it
before.
You are not alone! My whole family commented yesterday that they’d never heard of it. Now that they have, they’re not on board yet. But I’m used to being the, er, trendsetter in the family 😉
Good, if you are relaxed and get peace of mind by listening to it, I guess it’s safe.
I haven’t heard of it, either, but am intrigued! My son and I both have trouble with sleep, so we’ll have to give this a try.
She’s a Manieiac said her daughter (who’s going into 6th grade) loves it! There’s so many styles out there that I’d give a few different ones a try. They even have “Harry Potter ambience” ones so you can chill out in the Gryffindor common room with a crackling fire and flying books. Not that I, a 36 year old woman, am SO COMPLETELY DOWN WITH THAT or anything…
I’ve never heard of it before, and now that I have, I’ll take a pass. Not that I don’t have any sleeping problems, but ever since I have kids, my sleep problems are more of a “finding the time for sleep” and “trying to not fall asleep at a meeting at work” variety.
See, you had to go and have kids or you, too, would be enjoying (as I just told Erika) the ambient sounds of the Gryffindor common room…