What is ASMR and how is it related to relaxation?

SI’m sure on some occasion you’ve gotten goosebumps when someone whispers in your ear or felt a tingle hearing certain sounds, like that caused by a pencil drawing on paper. Today we tell you all about the sensations called ASMR.

The ASMR technique is becoming more and more fashionable on the Internet. Videos and podcasts where different techniques are used, such as manipulating objects, scratching the microphone, whispering or creating visual compositions with the aim of providing that pleasant and calm feeling. We especially highlight the auditory version since it is an increasingly used technique for falling asleep. But do you know what we mean when we talk about ASMR?

What is ASMR and what does it mean?

ASMR is the set of visual, tactile or auditory sensations that generate psychological pleasure and a feeling of calm when perceiving them. The literal translation of its meaning is “Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response” and includes sensations such as chills, tingling or even states of euphoria. People who experience these effects enter a state of relaxation when receiving these stimuli.

Now that you know what ASMR is, in this article we tell you what it can do to help you sleep better, read on!

What does ASMR do to the brain?

Currently, science has not yet determined the biological or psychological basis of ASMR. However, relief from the stress or anxiety associated with this phenomenon is believed to be caused by the release of endorphins, oxytocin, serotonin, or other neurotransmitters.

The sensation produced by ASMR is caused by the activation of different senses, such as sight, touch, smell or taste, although most people seem to be more sensitive to auditory stimuli:

Hearing

• Whispers.
• Pencil painting on paper.
• Scratch an object.
• Scissors that cut hair.

Images

• Watch a person paint.
• Color composition.
• Watching another person cut soap or sponges.

Touch

• Touch a soft blanket.
• Let someone caress your skin.
• Let them touch your hair.

Surely after reading these examples you will remember some moment of pleasure and relaxation that you experienced and that you had no idea what it caused in you. It was called ASMR, right? Its effects are usually temporary and disappear in a short time and not all of us perceive them in the same way. For some people, positive results are not achieved because they do not feel these stimuli as something pleasant.

What does it take to do ASMR?

Don’t hesitate to create your own ASMR at home for family practice and relaxation. You’ll just need to have the right tools, like a good camera or microphone and editing software. Once you get it, look for the sound or image that generates that pleasant sensation, there are thousands of sounds you can recreate to do ASMR and your children will surely help you a lot in this process.

ASMR for better sleep

Listening to ASMR audios or podcasts before going to sleep is the perfect technique for getting a restful and pleasant sleep. This is because its effects produce a state of relaxation, they also calm anxiety and reduce the heart rate, which helps you fall asleep more easily.

Tips for Using ASMR for Sleep

1. You must be focused and willing for this technique to help you relax. It’s important to be positive.
2. Use headphones, but make them lightweight so they don’t bother you if you change position.
3. Use only sounds, because looking at the screen with images before going to sleep can have the opposite effect and keep you awake.
4. Turn the volume down so you don’t wake up when you fall asleep.

In addition, we recommend that you have a rest team so that your rest and quality of sleep be excellent, as a mattress or one bed base quality. All these elements that at first glance do not seem so important can significantly influence the quality of our rest.

Put these tips into practice, we will be happy to hear about your experience. All we have to do is wish you a good night.

If you found it interesting, share it!

For more than 5 years Carmen has specialized in recommending the best solutions for sleeping well, combining technical knowledge of the products (mattresses, articulated bases, memory foam, latex, etc.) with a personalized approach.
He works closely with Bed’s product team and constantly reads studies on sleep ergonomics, material technologies, and healthy sleep habits. In this blog he writes guides, comparisons and advice so that the choice of your bed is not a burden but a conscious experience.