Sensory experiences are a fundamental aspect of our daily lives. From the taste of our favorite foods to the sound of our favorite music, our senses constantly provide us with a rich tapestry of experiences that help shape our world. One such experience that has gained significant popularity in recent years is Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR). ASMR triggers a tingling and relaxing sensation through certain sounds or videos, making it an effective tool for self-care and decompression.
A knife slicing through an apple. Fingernails grazing a sequin pillow. The fizzing of carbonated water when you turn the cap for the first time.
How do those sounds make you feel?
Is there a tingling in your spine? Does the hair stand up on your head? Does it help you relax and feel more at peace, even helping you fall asleep?
If you’ve experienced any of these sensations, or triggers, then you have experienced one of the biggest trends on YouTube today: ASMR. According to the National Sleep Foundation, ASMR “describes a feeling of euphoric tingling and relaxation that can come over someone when they watch certain videos or hear certain sounds.”
Now, more than ever, it’s important to find constructive ways to reset during our current time of remote work, social distancing, and the litany of stresses brought about by COVID-19. It can be really hard to focus on work, or to relax in our free time! And this may be the perfect time to explore ASMR as a mindful activity for self-care and decompression that you can do at home; all you need is an internet connection (and some headphones, if you’d like).
Check out our video on ASMR. Could you feel it? We’d love to hear how you experience ASMR—and if it piqued your curiosity to learn more.
Experience ASMR for yourself. Watch my team’s video from c|change’s Curiosity short film festival.
Mindful Creativity is one of our core values at c|change, and being mindful of your mental health, and how you replenish your energy and curiosity, helps us to be at our most creative. To cite an article from Forbes,
The results showed that the participants who experienced the most frequent ASMR sensations also reported the highest levels of excitement and calmness. Conversely, they also said they experienced the lowest levels of sadness and feelings of stress.
Curiosity was our word for 2019, and to encourage c|changers to pursue their curiosities, we held a short-film festival this past summer. We divided into groups with the only direction being that it relates to curiosity. One team made a sci-fi flick, Adhara, which was a winner at the Independent Shorts Awards and a finalist for the Indie Short Fest!
My team, Team Censes—with Art Director Joan Bueta, Motion Graphic Designer & Video Editor Kevin O’Rourke, and Sr. Account Manager Teagan Pastiak—decided to make our own ASMR video. The reason was twofold:
- To learn more about ASMR and how it impacts our senses.
- To explore how ASMR can be used for self-care and to improve mental health.
After researching ASMR and deciding on the experiences we wanted to film, we worked with Tony Green at Green House Sound to nail the audio, since it’s such a crucial part of the ASMR experience. This video wouldn’t have been possible without him, as well as the support of c|change!
As we navigate our way through the challenges of remote work, social distancing, and the stresses of the pandemic, finding ways to reset and replenish our energy has never been more important. Incorporating mindful activities like ASMR into our daily routines can be an effective way to promote mental health and wellness. By embracing the power of sensory experiences, we can tap into a world of relaxation and self-care that can help us feel more grounded, centered, and ready to take on whatever life throws our way.
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Unlocking Creativity: Making Our Short Film 'Adhara'
