How YouTube Can Help to Reduce Stress

I remember talking with a friend one day about guided meditations. I’ve listened to many over the years and even lead quite a few in my yoga classes. They can be really effective because when someone is guiding you through the process of relaxation, it can help keep your mind focused if you’re a beginner or have an active mind. (Is there anyone that doesn’t fall into the category??)

The meditation can be guided in many ways. You can be guided through a progressive relaxation in which you’re told to focus on intentionally relaxing specific parts of your body (neck, shoulders, arms, etc.) or you may be guided through the visualization of a relaxing place such as the beach or a lake.

Types of guided meditation

Some are specific healing meditations in which you visualize the healing taking place in your body. They can be really powerful and effective. No matter what the specific style, the intention is to bring your body into a state of greater relaxation. You’re shifting your body’s response from the sympathetic nervous system (fight or flight) to the parasympathetic nervous system (rest and digest).

It’s from this place that healing, sleep, and optimal digestion occur. So, when my friend mentioned a new style of meditation, I was intrigued.

A new form of relaxation?

He suggested that I check out an ASMR video. ASM... what? In all fairness, he’s the kind of guy who is pretty out there with trying new things, but that said he is also typically spot on with identifying trends. And these videos are getting millions of views within just the first couple months of the trend starting.

He sent me a link to a YouTube video of someone whispering and makes sounds on random objects. I didn’t understand it at all. Why is this person whispering and talking to me like we can actually have an interactive conversation?

What surprised me in the process is that I was legitimately feeling more relaxed. What was happening and how?

What is ASMR?

ASMR stands for Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response. It’s also known as whisper therapy and creates a tingling, physical sensation in the body. They’re not intended to be sensual, although some of the video creators get too close to that line, in my opinion. I actually prefer the videos in which there is no talking and just the sound from objects, such as tapping.

In either case, they’re worth exploring for if stress is a big trigger for you. It’s less important what you do to relax, it’s more important that you simply find something that resonates with you and supports your body in shifting to a better state of relaxation.

Have you tried ASMR? What are your thoughts?