ASMR: My Weirdiful Self-Care Staple

As I lie in bed, staring at the ceiling, fighting the urge to toss and turn, the room seems at once too small and too warm.

My numerous layers of sheets and blankets, each carefully chosen for the specific combined weight and pressure they place on my body while I’m supine, I decide, must be tossed off all at once.

But every single one of them are all just as quickly pulled back over my body only minutes later, as I miss the heavy security of them against my skin, feel anxious and unsettled in the open air. On a single-minded search for that elusive position that, I imagine, will somehow magically calm me and send me to dreamland, I peel back one edge of my covers so that I can thrust out an ankle, then a calf, this tiny portion of my body uncovered now serving as a sort of limbic thermometer that somehow makes it easier to breathe, makes everything feel just a tiny smidge better.

I stare at the ceiling some more. Sigh. Shift. Huff in annoyance. Feel a tickle at the back of my throat, that bubble of pressure I recognize as the unreleased sobs my frustrated, exhausted body wants to let out. Deep breaths. In. Out. F*ck. I just want to sleep already.

But this is the nightly dance I dance, more often than not, because I am a member of that special breed of lucky creature, the chronic insomniac.

Indeed, in the quiet hours of the night, when the world seems to hush except for the whispering wind, I often find myself on a quest—a quest for calm, for solace, for that elusive embrace of sleep that seems just beyond my reach. And it’s often very difficult to find. But I’ve found one thing that seems to help more consistently than any other thing I’ve ever tried.

So this is a tale, dear readers, not of daring adventures or heroic deeds, but of a gentle journey into the world of ASMR, the weirdiful self-care staple that has become my almost nightly companion, my lighthouse in the dark sea of chronic insomnia. The one thing.

What is ASMR?

ASMR, or Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response, is a phenomenon as intriguing as it is difficult to explain to the uninitiated. Imagine, if you will, the softest whisper, a gentle rustling of leaves, or the quiet tap, tap, tap of rain against a windowpane. These sounds, mundane as they may seem, hold within them the power to soothe the restless mind, to wrap the soul in a blanket of tranquility. And in this world of gentle sounds and whispered tales, there exists a realm of artists, or ASMRtists, if you prefer, who wield their voices and sounds like skilled artisans, crafting experiences designed to comfort, to heal, to make one feel pampered, seen, heard, validated, and decidedly not alone.

One of My Favorite ASMRtists

One such ASMRtist, who goes by the handle “Gibi” on YouTube, has become a favorite of mine. Her videos, a collection of role-plays and narratives ranging from the gentle and calming to the whimsical and wonderfully weird, offer an escape into a world where every word, every sound, is a brushstroke on the canvas of relaxation. It’s as if she extends a hand through the screen, inviting me on an imaginary journey into a spa experience, or a facial, or simply to be on the receiving end of lovingly whispered positive self-affirmations. These moments, crafted with care and delivered with a sincerity that feels almost tangible, become a sanctuary to me in the stillness of the night.

If you want to check out the nerdy little Gibi fan-fic video I put together describing a bit of what the ASMR experience feels like to me, here you go (though, to be clear, the video below isn’t ASMR itself really, it’s basically just another one of the many examples of me being randomly weird):

The ASMR Experience

Listening to ASMR videos on YouTube, I embark on a voyage of sensory discovery. The experience is akin to being wrapped in a warm, comforting embrace, a reminder that in the vastness of the internet, there exists a corner that is gentle, kind, and welcoming. It’s a peculiar form of companionship, one that asks for nothing in return but offers much in the way of comfort and solace.

And while many speak of the classic ASMR tingles, those shivers of delight that cascade down the spine, I find the experience delightful even without them. It’s the feeling of being understood, of being cared for in a way that is both profound and wonderfully simple. Indeed, some studies even seem to suggest that ASMR may help to soothe anxiety.

On nights when sleep is but a distant dream, and my mind races with the ghosts of days past and worries for the days to come, ASMR has become my solace, my balm for the soul. It is, often, the only thing that can soothe my nerves and quiet my racing thoughts enough to guide me into the gentle embrace of sleep, a bridge over the troubled waters of my chronic insomnia.

ASMR: My Weirdiful Self-Care Staple

So here I am, a traveler in the night, finding refuge in the soft, whispering world of ASMR. It is a journey of gentle discovery, a reminder that in the quiet moments, in the soft spoken words and the delicate sounds of the world, there lies a power to heal, to comfort, to connect. ASMR, with its weirdiful charm and tender care, has become a staple of my self-care routine, a beacon in the night that guides me home to rest, to dream, and to find peace in the embrace of sleep.

And so, dear reader, as you find yourself adrift in the sea of your own restless nights, remember this tale of whispers and wonders. May you too discover the gentle embrace of ASMR, a weirdiful companion on your journey to calm, to sleep, to a moment of peace in the bustling chaos of life.

As the night deepens and the world around me grows ever quieter, I often reflect on the beauty of this weirdiful journey. Each visit to the realm of ASMR, guided by the gentle hand of an ASMRtist like Gibi, is a reminder of the simple, yet profound acts of kindness that humanity is capable of. In her videos, there is an underlying message that resonates deeply with me: you are not alone. In this digital age, where connections can feel fleeting and superficial, the genuine care and intention behind each whispered affirmation, each simulated spa treatment, bridges the gap between the digital and the tangible, creating a space where solitude transforms into solace.

The Weird Beauty and Wise Lessons of ASMR

The peculiar beauty of ASMR lies not just in the auditory experiences it provides (strange as they might seem to an outsider or uninitiated observer), but in its ability to create a shared space of understanding and empathy. For those of us wrestling with the shadows of insomnia, these videos become more than just a pathway to sleep; they are a nightly ritual, a practice in mindfulness where every sound carries weight and every silence speaks volumes. It is in this practice that I find a sense of belonging, a connection to a community of souls seeking comfort in the gentlest of ways.

Moreover, this journey into the world of ASMR has taught me the importance of the simpler side of self-care, of taking moments to pause, to listen, to be present. In a world that often demands constant motion, constant noise, the choice to engage with ASMR is a rebellion against the cacophony, a reclaiming of tranquility. It’s a reminder that in the act of listening, of truly hearing, we can find peace, we can find rest, and perhaps most importantly, we can find a connection to the shared human experience of seeking comfort in the quiet.

In the solitude of my room, with only the glow of the screen casting shadows on the walls, I often think of those who, like me, have found sanctuary in the whispers of ASMR. It’s a thought that brings a smile to my face, a feeling of gratitude for this weirdiful art form that has woven itself into the fabric of my nightly routine. And as I drift off to sleep, carried away by the gentle cadence of a voice that feels both familiar and comforting, I am reminded of the power of simple acts of kindness, of the gentle power of being seen, heard, and understood.

This, then, is the essence of my journey with ASMR—a tale of discovery, of comfort, and of the quiet joy found in the spaces between words.

 In the realm of gentle whispers and soft sounds, I have found a haven, a place where sleep is no longer a battle but a gentle surrender to the night.

And for anyone who finds themselves wandering in the quiet hours, searching for peace, I extend this invitation: explore the world of ASMR, and may you find in it the same weirdiful solace that has become my nightly refuge.