5 ASMR-tists on YouTube I Love for Stress Relief

What is ASMR?

The ASMR universe is one of the internet's triumphs.

Dimly-lit YouTube videos of whispers, role plays, and relaxing sounds and visuals are far beyond the childhood imaginations of many born before the turn of the millenium.

As a Gen-Xer who lived half of my life without the interwebs, I never could have imagined as an 80s child that (using an '80s-futuristic-cartoon-character-Inspector Gadget-style touchscreen portable phone encased in purple indestructible plastic) that I might enjoy (and find stress relief) from a self-created video of someone, who is dressed as a psychadelic plant and whispering about unblocking creativity, on a recording that was uploaded to a gobal public video platform.

(Give this video from Nebula ASMR a chance!)

But here we are. So what is ASMR?

"Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response" (said to have first been described in 2010 by Jennifer Allen, creator of a Facebook group on the subject) is a nice tingly feeling one feels in one's head, neck, or other parts of the body as a response to stimuli (or "triggers") such as tapping, whispers, brushing, personal attention, and more.

For me, real-life ASMR experiences may have included the relaxing hair-brushing circle that I would form with my mother and sister in the 90s while watching Seinfeld, Friends, or ER; or when a middle school friend gently slid his pencil up my arm, and the hair on my arm stood up.

Relaxing on the YouTubes

One could see how these relaxing experiences could help reduce stress and induce sleep, but how to recreate them? Enter the YouTube world of "ASMR-tists". I am not an ASMR-historian, but just an extreme enthusiast. The community is popular, ever-growing, and wholesome. It must remain protected!

Five ASMR-tists Who I Love

Even if you know some of the original or most popular artists, some of these below might be new to you. If you have never watched ASMR on Youtube, keep an open mind and enjoy some of my favorites, not in exact order:

1. Atmosphere ASMR

The most cinematic and complex of the ASMR-tists I follow, Atmosphere has it all: connected storylines, interesting and relaxing characters, costumes, setting props, and backgrounds. Anastasia, the driving force begind Atmosphere, plays every character and offers performances that (in my opinion) surpass the talents of Hollywood.

There are too many amazing videos to count, but I will include two; the first in keeping with the 80s reference is called "Try-On Haul - 80s ASMR."

One of my favorite characters is the vampire, who is introduced in this video, called "Let Me In":

If you follow her you might get hooked! Just watch one or two videos until you fall asleep, then try again the next night!

2. ASMR Aura

Recent popular ASMR triggers include a "girl in the back of the classroom" (or a train, bus, or plane) playing with your hair (or the hair of a mannequin head). ASMR Aura has perfected these kinds of videos, with creativity, beauty, and often humorous storylines.

These are nice to listen to in the background to stay calm and focused while working on a stressful project with deadlines, or to unwind and relax at the end of the day.

3. Reiki Healing Hope ASMR

I am a newbie to understanding the concept of reiki, which is a healing practice working with energies. Peaceful elements (at least on YouTube) may include deep breathing, plucking of negative energies, cutting of cords, crystals, candles, brushing... While its methods may be new and metaphysical, I can attest that the ability of reiki-style ASMR (or is it ASMR-style reiki?) to calm my anxiety and actual panic attacks. If a video can reduce my heartrate while increasing feelings of peace, that is proof enough for me.

This relaxation is thanks to YouTubers, such as a joyful and serene practitioner called Jet of Reiki Healing Hope ASMR, who generously share their healing energy and ideas through these videos.

4. The Lune INNATE

Continuing on the theme of reiki ASMR, Lune Innate delivers calm and peaceful energy. Both she (and Jet from #3) provide education about relaxation and discuss approaches to life and relationships.

The title of the video below says it all: "Reduce Cortisol -- Clear Stress & Anxiety from Body -- Reiki with ASMR"

5. The Angelic Alchemist

While Reiki ASMR might not be the most common form of ASMR, three of my five favorites are focused on it!

Rounding out the list is the lovely and peaceful Angelic Alchemist. Her content can help relax you and put you to sleep immediately.

I have felt that I made it all the way to burnout recently. This video below, "Burnout Recovery: Nurturing Your Energy with ASMR, Reiki, and Personal Healing" truly did help me when I watched it.

Honorable Mentions:

Perhaps I will write follow-ups to honor ASMR-tists I love in the following categories:

A) OG ASMR-tists I appreciate:

Karuna Satori - saved me during traumatic periods in my life.

Latte ASMR - beloved ASMR-tist who will relax you to sleep.

ASMR Bakery - no talking, just deep sounds

B) Specialists I Love

ASMR August - Light triggers, eye and medical exam role-plays

Nefertiti ASMR - Quiet elegance

Nebula ASMR - Aliens, cyberpunk, and the aforementioned psychadelic creativity-enhancing plant

And many more!!

Do you listen to ASMR?

Who are your favorite ASMR-tists and what types of ASMR do you like?

Let me know in the comments. As the YouTubers like to say... thank you for joining me! Like, follow, and subscribe!

Until next time, as we continue to follow the creative muse of the interwebs and beyond!

- Candy 🍬

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