Last weekend while having my virtual head massage (and falling asleep in 3min of course), I thought maybe it's high time that I introduce my readers to this blissful method for a quick and peaceful sleep.
What is ASMR?
Autonomous sensory meridian response (ASMR) is a neologism for a perceptual phenomenon characterized as a distinct, pleasurable tingling sensation in the head, scalp, back, or peripheral regions of the body in response to visual, auditory, tactile, olfactory, or cognitive stimuli.
Now in Simple English:
Pleasant tingling or buzzing sensations felt in the head. YouTube videos or hearing people whispering can stimulate the sensation. Other triggers may include goal-oriented tasks, soft-speaking, role-playing, and music.
To learn more about ASMR: Click Here
How it all started:
One fine night, I wanted a head massage and no one were ready to give me one :( , and I was too lazy to use my Head Massager. (This is a must have). You can purchase it at any online store for a few dollars, or if you are in Sri lanka, it's available for purchase Here
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| Pressure Point Head Massager Tool |
So, here I was, dreaming about a head massage at the salon the next day, but then you know how we you tube addicts feel, we love checking out 'How its done' videos.
The next thing I know, I'm on you tube, I type in 'Head Massage at Salon' , watch a few videos, and then I come across something that says 'ASMR Hair Brushing', I'm sure just the thought of having your hair brushed gives you that tingly sleepy sensation, and that's exactly what the thought and the video did to me.
From that day I've watched all kinds of ASMR videos, and a few selected ones more than once.
You can watch that very first Hair Brushing video below:
Basically ASMR videos are shot in a very feel at home atmosphere, and instead of talking they whisper (Not in a creepy way, but in a soothing tone).
A few special equipment are used while recording ASMR videos in order to achieve the real feel, when you watch these you realize that you can actually hear the comb brushing the hair, or the scalp scratching etc.
If you like to know what the basic equipment are, watch the video below:
Types of ASMR videos:
1. Audio Only (All you have to do is close your eyes and listen)
2. Video
i. Ones where they massage or comb the camera
ii. Ones where massages are done on another person
Most of these videos are Binaural (which requires you to wear both headphones), and I love the videos (especially the 2nd type) over audios, and I also hate wearing headsets in bed, it doesn't help me sleep well. You know that feeling when something is nagging you constantly, that's what the headset does, a tiny barrier between be and my bed.
Best and my most favourite ASMR Video Channels on Youtube:
Fairy Char ASMR
MassageASMR
ASMR Massage Psychetruth
Olivia's Kissper AMR
WhispersRed ASMR
My Challenge for You:
I have shared one of my most favourite and most watched (I finally downloaded it) videos below, and I challenge you to watch it till the end (It's only 12 mins, and I rarely get to watch it full) without falling asleep.
Most of the time I feel really sleepy by the 6th minute, and I pause the the video, off the mobile data, and within the next second I'm in a deep sleep, the 1st thing I wake up to in the morning is the paused you tube video.
Back to the challenge, the rules are:
- You must lie on a bed or any other comfortable surface
- To be watched only at Night or in the Evening
- No Multitasking (Texting, Writing, Talking etc)
- Last but not the least, MUST WATCH ALONE
Try it out and let us know how it went along with the hashtag #AQasmrChallenge , on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
