Have you ever experienced the soothing sensation of a gentle and calming melody that has made you relaxed or dozed? If you enjoy such an experience or believe in this phenomenon, then this article is going to improve your understanding further – how you can use this simple yet effective idea to resolve various health troubles and gain benefits.
What is ASMR?
Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR) is a pleasant and calming experience, a gentle tingling sensation that you feel along the back of your head in response to certain sounds, gentle rhythms, soft melodies, or small movements. This soothing sensation then permeates your neck, trunk, and the entire body.
What effects does ASMR create on the brain?
In terms of mechanism, ASMR triggers stimulate the brain regions that are associated with emotion regulation, calmness, affiliation, and positive behaviors.
Examples of stimuli that evoke ASMR
The stimulation of ASMR response varies in different people depending upon their personal likes and preferences. Normally, it is generated with specific audio-visual stimuli such as whispering, soft speaking in a warm tone, mild tapping, delicate touch, gentle scratching, certain hand movements, and articulated personal attention. Even more interesting, ASMR can also be escalated through a combination of routine activities that involve a precise pattern of movements such as scribbling, getting your hair done, or folding laundry, etc. Due to the emerging popularity of this amazing phenomenon, a good stock of ASMR stimulating videos has been seen over the internet that is easily accessible to everyone.
ASMR’s amazing benefits in elderly
The nursing home population largely comprises old and incapacitated people with multiple diseases that include emotional and psychiatric disorders. The added burden of loneliness, lack of mobility, and old age problems add an extra layer of despondency in the elderly.
A strong body of scientific evidence has suggested that Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response is beneficial in alleviation of anxiety, stress, depressive disorders as well as chronic pain accompanied with emotional baggage. It has also been observed that effective stimuli and sufficiently heightened state of ASMR are imperative to sustain its beneficial effects.
Dr. Giulia Poerio from the Psychology department, University of Sheffield conducted a study to assess the physical and psychological health benefits of ASMR and their reliability. Their results mention that ASMR showed a pronounced reduction in heart rate and the emotions of sadness and anxiety.
Another research conducted on 475 ASMR respondents from the USA and Western Europe has also reported better mood, enhanced relaxation, decrease in levels of chronic pain, calmness, and quick onset of sleep in the participants
To conclude, ASMR can be used as a beneficial tool to reduce the burdening effects of desolation, depression, stress, and other unhealthy emotions in old people residing in nursing homes. In addition, it will help them in enhancing their mood, vitality, and improved behaviors of social connection. Likewise, it can be useful for people of all ages in mitigating stress, improving focus and mood, and enhancing mindfulness of thoughts.
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