Relaxation. Euphoria. Tingling. These are the words used to describe the result of an Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response, or ASMR, trigger. In a piece I recently wrote for Sanity & Self, I describe the concept as “the physical response to auditory, visual, or tactile triggers, usually a tingly sensation similar to feeling chills. Think of the goosebumps you might get when someone whispers into your ear. That’s ASMR. Most experts attribute ASMR’s relaxing sensations to the release of endorphins, a chemical in the brain that leads to feelings of happiness and euphoria, and a surge of oxytocin. You experience a surge of oxytocin during orgasm, which most likely parallels the chemical release of ASMR and why devotees refer to this phenomenon as brain or head orgasms.”

Common ASMR triggers include whispering, personal attention or touch, humming, tapping, role playing, crinkling materials, and hair brushing. Learning what triggers ASMR for you involves trial and error. Begin by exposing yourself to a variety of sounds and content. “A major source would be ASMR video channels which contain a large selection of quality content,” says Dr. Craig Richard, an ASMR researcher, biopharmaceutical sciences professor, and ASMR University founder.

The ASMR community has exploded since it first appeared on whisper vlogs and chat rooms around 2009. Search ASMR on YouTube, and there are over twelve million results. Here’s a look at the top of the tingles: Read more

The holidays are a time to come together and have a good time with your friends and family. But if you’re feeling more dreary than cheery this time of year, you can learn a lot from those who have struggled but ultimately overcome their hardships.

Bestow compiled 90 inspirational quotes to pick you up on challenging days or keep you motivated on good ones! These success quotes will go a long way toward making you happy in every facet of your life. Read more

Birding with children is a fun and educational outdoor activity. On average, kids spend more than seven hours per day with electronic media. Studying birds at the convenience of your backyard can teach children about wildlife and ecology as well as engage all of their senses. You could take up birding with your kids year-round — even in winter. Here are some ways to get your youngsters excited about birdwatching. Read more

Did you know that children with autism spectrum disorder can benefit from physical activity just as much as typically developing children? Exercise not only helps kids with autism engage in social environments, but it also aids in weight loss and leads to better overall health. Studies show that vigorous activity for more than 20 minutes may decrease hyperactivity, aggression and stereotypical behaviors. Participation in regular sports or fitness programs might enhance social and motor skills, boost self-esteem and even improve performance on academic tasks. Here are a few tips on how parents and caregivers can motivate a child with autism to keep active. Read more