In a world where doom scrolling has become a hobby of sorts, watching soothing Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR) videos on YouTube for hours on end is becoming an addiction that everyone seems to be embracing.
And there is good reason for it: After a long day at work, these videos can help calm the mind and the absence of speech requires much less attention, thereby drawing focus on the visuals and actions on screen, which can prove to be oddly satisfying.
My Kolkata lists a few such video genres and some companion YouTube compilations for the next time you are in search of some much-needed stress-busting…
Kinetic sand
Beach vacays may be our preferred mode of relaxation, but if your busy work schedule means you can’t go to the sand, then let the sand come to you!
Kinetic sand is just regular sand that is coated in silicone oil. This not only makes it waterproof, but also changes the way it reacts. Instead of just falling apart, it seems to transform into another shape. The crisp sound of the sand being cut makes for great ASMR as well.
Pimple popping
While the jury’s still out on whether pimple popping is gross or not, the videos of a certain Dr Pimple Popper has taken the internet by storm. A certified dermatologist and surgeon, Dr Sandra Lee, aka Dr. Pimple Popper, has 4.5 million followers on Instagram and 7.42 million subscribers on YouTube. Her videos include pimple popping, whitehead and blackhead extraction and even cyst removal!
ASMR
We’ve all heard this abbreviation before, but very few of us know that it stands for Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response. Many have called it a ‘brain massage’. From the tapping of nails on a surface to mukbang, the auditory stimulation of ASMR has a calming effect on listeners.
Slime
While a lot of us might have played with slime when we were kids, thanks to the internet, slime is now topping the charts in audio-visual mediums as well! You can spend hours watching slime being made and squished. These videos are aesthetic, vibrant and most of them don’t have dialogues, which helps you focus on the sound of the slime. You’ve got to watch it to believe it.
Organising videos
Just because your workspace or cupboard is a mess, doesn’t mean you cannot watch organising videos. Be it pantry and fridge restocking or cleaning cupboards, this genre takes the cake, and who knows, it might even motivate you to declutter your own space.
Drink-making videos
Iced coffee is all the rage now, as are matcha lattes, and if watching food videos is what you find relaxing, then you’ll love these drink-making videos. From fabulous glassware to the sound of ice cubes clinking, these drinks are not only incredibly satisfying to watch, but also worth a try for your next cocktail party!