.... you'll thank us later!
I don’t know about you, but I envy people who have the ability to fall asleep as soon as their head hits the pillow. Like many, I often struggle to switch off and find myself trying all sorts to get some sleep, but fear not, our luxurious bed socks and an unlikely pairing of ASMR will have you drifting off into the perfect night’s sleep in no time.
It all started a few months ago during the country’s third national lockdown, when I found myself entranced by the oddly satisfying sounds of the fibres on my bed socks brushing against each other as I was winding down for the evening. I’d never really noticed it before but the soothing sounds left me in a near hypnotic state. Truth be told, I don’t remember much after that but what I can tell you though, is that the next morning I woke up with dribble all over the pillow (and my face) but feeling uber rejuvenated and relaxed.
It wasn’t until the next day that I realised I’d experienced ASMR the night before. ASMR or Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response, if you’re unfamiliar with the concept, is a complex tingling sensation that many people experience when they see, feel and hear ‘triggers’ such as whispering.
What first started as a one-off YouTube video in 2009, has now turned into a global phenomenon in which ASMR has become YouTube’s third most popular search term, showing just how much traction the concept has gained. The reason for its popularity comes down to the physiological benefits it delivers, including a significantly reduced heart rate as well as increased relaxation and feelings of social connection.
Now, falling asleep to the sound of someone on the other side of the globe chewing gum or tapping their nails on a microphone might not your cup of tea, but not one ASMR trigger works for everyone. Think of it in this way, someone might get chills listening to a particular song and another person may not.
With that being said, I really urge you to give it a try and experiment until you find triggers that work for you. It really is as simple as finding a video you might be interested in listening to, and curling up in bed; not forgetting to put your PAIRS bed socks on first, of course! Whilst, I can’t promise that ASMR will provide you with an unmatched feeling of relaxation, I can promise entertainment if nothing else, and after all isn’t that what we all need in these unprecedented times.
