How I Cure Stress: ASMR Style

I've mentioned ASMR in one of my blogs many moons ago, but it is about time I be truly honest with my readers. I, the creator of Jenuine Blogs, watch ASMR videos. And I haven't really mentioned it to anyone for seven-ish years. Some people may relate, while others may find it as some weird fetish. It's just...relaxing. I know many of you may be scratching your heads thinking, “What the heck is ASMR?” For me, it’s not only the cure for years of vivid nightmares, but also how I relax, something that has historically been very difficult for me.

ASMR — or autonomous sensory meridian response — is essentially sounds (and sometimes actions) that feel good, that sometimes leads to a euphoric tingling sensation in the body, often in the head. If you’re like me and have a brain that never shuts off or stops stressing, putting on some earbuds and listening to an ASMRist act out a soft spoken spa treatment roleplay or crinkle paper as they perform a style of art they recently discovered, is an amazing way to shut out all of these anxious thoughts and just drift into a pure state of calm or even sleep.

There are ASMRists that I absolutely attribute to helping me get over day to day stressors for the past 7 years  — like GentleWhispering, ASMR Zeitgeist, Fairy Char ASMR, and Gibi. Because I’m a regular viewer — while some people look forward to their evening sitcoms I can’t wait to lay down with ASMR videos after work — I also feel like it’s changed how anxious I feel in general. 

I feel I often come off as being this brave, know-it-all, cool-calm-and-collected, but the truth is I have anxiety and some nights, it is very overwhelming. Its something I don't let others see of me because I don't want it to be used against me more than what I already use against myself. While ASMR hasn’t cured me completely, it has leveled me out tremendously. And when I feel myself going back into that stressed out place, I grab some headphones and let the tapping, scratching, paper crinkled, water splashing and gentle voices of ASMR lull me into a calm.

Some people meditate. Others do yoga. Many enjoy an early morning jog. I love ASMR. The next time you’re feeling flight anxiety, nervousness, or stressed about missing work or being away from family, I suggest you give it a try. Maybe you’ll discover a new form of therapy that doesn’t involve doctor visits, prescriptions or spending money.

I will say that if you don’t get the tingling sensation or don’t quite comprehend ASMR, these videos will probably seem very strange. View with an open mind, and just lose yourself in the sounds and personal attention of the videos.