Italian – The Procrastination Pen

Sleeping With ASMR

This week I went for a while with next to no sleep. I just could not get my actual sleep mode to fit with when I needed to be asleep. I was tired when I needed to work. I was awake when I needed to sleep. (I watched quite a lot of television). My partner pointed to the fact that I am making one of the cardinal sins which is that I sit and read in bed before sleeping and a number of articles point out that the bed has to be for sleep only.

The one thing that did come out of it was that when I finally did manage to get a few hours how delicious it all was. So wonderful I could have been tempted to give thanks for every precious second of unconsciousness. My eighteen-year-old self would have looked upon that sentence with incredulity.

I think, of late, that the professional ASMR has been improving and the inadvertent ASMR not quite so much. This is a disappointment. But I always imagined that finding good material might eventually prove difficult. Even that which at first sight appears suitable, often, ultimately, is not quite so much – as we have found. However, the endeavour persists – we’ll see what we can find.

I must admit that I am now tiring of some of the approach (I’ve been doing this three years) and I am thinking that another shake up will be required soon. Possibly to start with moving away from a medical theme for a while might make a nice change. I’m off on holliers soon so I’ll see what happens when I come back with a fresh perspective.

This week’s Calm item is this:

Inspiration

https://www.calm.com/app/player/iViiLizTTt

Daily Jay

Soul Grow

NARRATOR

Jay Shetty

Which is about becoming a more extraordinary version of yourself.

Whilst exploring this letter https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/kurt-vonnegut-xavier-letter_n_4964532

Bearing in mind that if you want to listen you also have to buy a subscription (which I imagine will put a few people off).

This week let’s look at a very different kind of professional ASMR video which is this one:

ASMR The Reincarnation Station 🔃 Choosing Your Next Life

It is from the channel Cosmo Whispers ASMR which, again, I cannot remember having been to before. It has 172k subscribers, six hundred and fifty one videos, eighteen playlists and it looks bizarre like it is an ASMR version of Sesame Street.

There are notes on the channel:

“Cosmo Whispers ASMR

Description

Hi! I’m Cosmo! Your friendly neighborhood pink fuzzy monster and this is my ASMR channel!

I make ASMR videos with a little purple goober named Jeremy, a video editor named Lennard, and my close friends to help you relax, have a good laugh, and fall asleep!

I hope you can find comfort and maybe even have a few laughs from my silly little channel.

Much love to you all! 🫶💖”

And of course, the video also has notes:

“21 Sept 2026 11 products

Remember to leave a LIKE!

Thanks for watching! 💖

And make sure to subscribe and hit the bell button so you are notified when I release a new video! ☺️

New to the world of ASMR? That’s okay, I was once too! Welcome! ☺️

What is ASMR?

“ASMR (autonomous sensory meridian response) or TINGLES are a relaxing, often sedative sensation that begins on the scalp and moves down the body that are triggered by placid sights and sounds such as whispers, accents, and crackles.”

I remember my first time experiencing Tingles!

Watching a friend of mine read a book while listening to him flip the pages and lick his finger before doing so.

It made my head feel soooo fuzzy that I fell asleep right in the armchair I was sitting in.

My goal is to help recreate that feeling for some of you!

I also LOVE hearing other people’s first experiences with ASMR so drop me a comment or message!

Much love my friend! 🫶”

Which I have heavily edited because they were comprehensive to say the least.

The video is thirty minutes long. It starts with music and some sci-fi sounding noises. It is reasonably quiet and I had to run the sound up a bit for the review. I am not a fan of music in ASMR videos and I am certainly not keen on videos where the music forms an actual part of the video. Some people seem to find music and ASMR fit well together (a number of the sleep-orientated Calm tracks do this for example). I think it is a very unsound marriage and I think ASMR should be voice only. I very rarely get my wish. When the vocal track starts, a background hiss starts at the same time. That is not too distracting. However, it is comfortably masked by the music in any case.

The voice sounds like it is artificially slowed as if the person would prefer to be talking more quickly. However, after a very short while I soon got used to that. There is a strange background crackling noise as if the track was being played on a badly stored vinyl record. I’m not sure why this was done.

I thought the concept of the video a good one. The idea that you are met by an individual once you have died and are offered a series of choices. That sounds a lot more appealing than disappearing into a box with all consciousness snuffed out. I would say it is more a calming experience than actual ASMR as such and I am not convinced, personally, I would find it that conducive to sleep. I bet there are a large number of people think differently.

After a while I decided I liked the voice, either that or the voice settled down and got comfortable in its role. I hankered after a music free version of the same video – I do not see this option sadly.

Despite my reservations I did find myself nodding to this which must be a good sign. Why not review it for yourself.

I was thinking about blog feedback. I realised that the last (non-spam) feedback comment I had was from Aidan Blunt. A the time I remember thinking it is little moments like this that make the blogging process worthwhile. When someone reaches out from their lives to interact with mine over a small piece of work I completed some months ago.

Given that Hollie Berry was and remains once of my favourite voices since I started reviewing unintentional ASMR videos, it was a high point for me to rival being given permission to use one of Lindisfarne’s album covers back when I restarted blogging.

This appears a long time after I got the comment but I thought I would provide encouragement, to anyone that happens across this little blog, to feed back about what they have read.

The blog has been about ASMR since December 2022 (a bit of a mélange prior to that) and I have (nearly) consistently been focused on unintentional ASMR videos on YouTube. Firstly, because that is still where most of the videos seem to reside. Secondly WordPress offers me the rather nice option of embedding them in the blog post to illustrate a little of what the article is about.

The demand for unintentional ASMR videos seems to continue unabated and I have been keen to try to find as many as I can, assemble them into a great long playlist and then share the playlist so that others with similar tastes can listen to it of a night time. Particularly if they find themselves towards the insomniac side of restfulness.

Today I am back on message with a medical orientated video and one involving an examination so far so back where this all started

It is this one:

02 – Assessment of muscle tone after stroke

At just shy of twelve minutes it is a good length. It starts without startup music (God be praised) and is a lovely muted introduction – shades of delight creeping in already.

The notes state: “841,613 views 6 Sept 2017 STARs – Management of Tone & Spasticity After Stroke: A Role for Everyone

This resource is from the Stroke Training and Awareness Resources (STARs) website – http://www.stroketraining.org

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/…”

Comments are permitted but thankfully so far the trolls appear to be on holiday. However, there are no ASMR orientated comments which is a surprise I would think that the ASMR fans would be all over this.

Not only is the medical professional excellent in terms of his voice for our purposes even the patient appears to have a great voice as well.

The medical professional is incredibly gentle – just the sort of approach that we look for in one of these videos and a number of commentators applaud him for this. The patient we find is Alan (possibly misspelled)

Given the title of this video starts 02 we can assume I think there is a 01 and quite possibly a 03 so it is worth determining if they are also worth reviewing.

The channel is Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland and it turns out that our video is one of six contained in this playlist:

STARs – Management of Tone & Spasticity After Stroke: A Role For Everyone

With notes: “these resources are from the stroke training and awareness resources (stars) website – http://www.stroketraining.org

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Sharealike 4.0 International License.

Https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/”

It appears that we might have a gem into terms of video series so let’s take a look at the other 5.

01 – Reflexes After Stroke

This is short it’s only just over one and a half minutes. It is consistent with the first one reviewed in this article – which is a benefit of professionally produced videos.

It is there for moments and then is gone, but it is so relaxing I think it belongs in the Procrastination Pen playlist. In fact, I’d be prepared to guess that all six videos in the Management of Tone & Spasticity After Stroke playlist belong there.

03 – Muscle position and stretch

Just over three minutes so we are definitely at the short end of videos that we’ve included in the Procrastination Pen Playlist.

However, this remains an excellent quality video lacking extraneous noise or distractions which have haunted some of the material that we have reviewed (and consigned some of them to the Procrastination Pen Archive list).

04 – On and off bed

A bit over two and a half minutes so not huge in terms of length either. It remains consistent with the previous videos in this playlist.

05 – On and off chair

This is a little less than there and a quarter minutes and it is beautifully calm and quiet, if I have to be treated for a difficult condition this would be the way I would like it to happen.

06 – Walking and tone

Supportive, calm, relaxed, quiet, not only a medical professional but a tutor and caring person. This set of videos has been a thoroughly good set for us and all of them are going into the Procrastination Pen playlist.

The channel Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland has three hundred and fifty-seven videos and 41.8K subscribers which I’m sure you will agree is a few. There is every incentive therefore to come straying back here in the future in search of more excellent videos at this quality.

It is unusual to find a set of videos in a playlist where every video is suitable both for ASMR and for restfulness as a precursor to sleep but I think this set may well be they. I think we will be back here in due course to determine if Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland have any more material for us.

That’s it on this occasion, more next time.

See you again next week.

The Chest Heart and Stroke playlist on the Procrastination Pen is here:

The overall playlist of videos covered so far on the Procrastination Pen is here:

The videos weeded out because over time they are just not as good as the others is in this archive list:

I keep this in case subscribers to the Procrastination Pen have personal favourites that they want to hear.

The playlist of videos requiring age verification is here:

I can’t be bothered to stop my listening to log on, this interrupts the experience. You may not mind this in which case this list is for you.

I hope that you find the playlists restful and I hope you get plenty of sleep.

If you liked this blog article, why not follow this blog.

Until next time.

Photo by Deep.ai

Sleeping With ASMR

I would think that on the days I come in from work so tired I’m amazed I made the journey that the night time would be punctuated only by snores. In practice the experience is a lot more staccato than that. Sometimes the effect is exactly as expected and I hit the pillow with eyes closed and rend the night time with loud snorts and squeakings. Not unusually though I can lie there reading into the early hours or just lie there…

For this reason, I started some years ago now looking into restful material to act as a distraction and discovered that I rather liked ASMR videos. I’m still reviewing them all this time later. Sometimes I spend my time listening to the Procrastination Pen playlist, sometimes to other material. But I reason that if I review ASMR material each week then at least the ASMR fans get some feedback. If I compile a playlist then at least the insomniacs have some distracting material. At least if I write something then the disgruntled have something to criticise which might even make them feel better. (I’m not adverse to a bit of criticising myself).

I did say I’d be on the lookout for material that was not on YouTube and that was advert free. In 2026 that is quite a big ask. It would seem that most people have worked out how to monetise and are squeezing that lemon till the pips gasp their last.

Occasionally I find people of a religious affiliation who produce material due to some spiritual conviction. I recognise though that some readers are not keen to hear from a Christian, Muslim or Buddhist.

Some people produce material on the assumption that if people listen to the free stuff, then they might pay handsomely for the other stuff they produce which is not free.

Some people seem morally disposed to share their message with others and are not hounding a pay cheque. I am grateful for all such people (and no doubt others who have reasons I have not listed here).

I have been listening off and on to a podcast over some months now which is produced in order to spread a message of happiness and not just that but backs it up with scientific findings. It is not hugely ASMRy but you might like the material as a different distraction (to the Procrastination Pen) playlist. It is “The Happiness Lab Podcast” with Dr. Laurie Santos. It often has some very surprising findings for example a recent episode that tells us winning the lottery is likely to be very bad for you: https://www.drlauriesantos.com/happiness-lab-with-dr-laurie-santos-podcast/episodes/winning-lottery-ruin-life.

Having finished my non-YouTube material, let’s look at this week’s Calm material.

https://www.calm.com/app/player/wicRCqVcjB

Daily Jay

Gossip

NARRATOR

Jay Shetty

I am reviewing whether I will continue with Calm, there are so many alternative offerings out there. It’s not likely to be an immediate change. However, do not be surprised if the Calm recommendations ultimately dry up.

I did find today that it is possible to share free links to Calm but the terms and conditions do seem to indicate it is designed for a Calm subscriber (me) to share with the odd friend. Not for them to take a free link and post it on their blog for everyone to use. It sounds like if I did that it might quickly invalidate my subscription. So, I am not going to try it.

This week for the professional ASMR artist I thought that I would try the medical offering from the channel that I reviewed only recently. You might remember that I tried Italian ASMR because I am trying, and failing, to learn Italian. I found that the video was not in Italian. So I failed to stick to the blog theme and failed in the purpose of the diversion.

The same artist I notice has this one:

ASMR Italian Nurse Checks On You 🇮🇹🩺 Medical Roleplay & Personal Attention

It is a bit of a fudge in that I have been trying to review videos which are older as these seem to fall out of favour on YouTube. Most people, seemingly wanting a proper bang with their bang up to date. This one, however, is very, very recent so I am, yet again, diverting from the target.

The channel of course is AppleWhispers ASMR, this has 5.33k subscribers from only eight videos which seems to me properly exceptional. This ASMR artist must have something to be getting that kind of loyalty already.

We’ve previously detailed the notes on the channel so I wont rehash things, however, as expected, there are notes associated with the video itself:

“42,323 views 28 Aug 2026 #asmr #sleep #relax

Your Italian nurse is here to check on you and make sure you’re doing okay. 🇮🇹🩺🤍

In today’s relaxing ASMR medical roleplay, I’ll gently check your condition, take your vital signs and give you plenty of close-up personal attention while you rest.

Just get comfortable and let me take care of you for a little while.

You’ll experience gentle medical checks, soft whispers, close-up attention, soothing hand movements and relaxing examination sounds, all designed to help you switch off, feel cared for and hopefully fall asleep. 🌙

Triggers include:

🩺 Medical examination

❤️ Vital signs check

👀 Close-up visual examination

🤍 Personal attention

👐 Gentle hand movements

💤 Whispering & relaxing medical sounds

I hope your Italian nurse can make you feel a little more relaxed tonight.

Now just rest… I’ll take care of everything. 🤍

—————————

🍎 Welcome to AppleWhispers ASMR!

Hi, I’m Elena! 🤍

I’m so happy you’re here.

My goal is to help you relax, unwind and fall asleep through gentle whispers, personal attention and immersive ASMR roleplays.

If you enjoy my videos, don’t forget to like, subscribe and turn on notifications so you won’t miss future uploads!

🌙 Sweet dreams!

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

🇮🇹 Looking for ASMR in Italian?

Visit my Italian channel:

/ @appletinglesasmr

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

💌 Business Inquiries

appletingles95@gmail.com

🎥 Personalized ASMR Videos

If you’d like to request a custom ASMR video, feel free to contact me via email.

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

❤️ Support the Channel

If you’d like to support my work, you can leave a donation here:

https://www.paypal.me/AppleTingles

Every contribution helps me create more relaxing content for you. Thank you so much! 🤍

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

📱 Follow me

Italian ASMR : / @appletinglesasmr

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

🎧 For relaxation purposes only.

Please do not listen while driving or operating machinery.

#asmr #relax #sleep”

These are the normal (for a professional ASMR artist) level of ludicrously long. For a start who comes to YouTube to read the video notes. The majority of professional ASMR artists seem to double as ghost writers for a re-write of war and peace. Mostly I set about the notes with a hatchet in my blog or it would all get rather tiresome. (Perhaps it does anyway).

There are comments. Comments seem to be allowed by all the professional ASMR artists and, mostly, they seem to be describing how close to a deity the listeners feel the ASMR artist is. So here. Not the usual level of thousands of comments. However, a brief spin through those that there are indicates that AppleWhispersASMR is up there with JC and he who could move mountains.

The video is very slightly under twenty-seven minutes long and so an appreciable enough length in comparison to some that I have reviewed. It starts without music and we get the immediate impression that breathy is going to feature. The accent is enchanting and the level of the voice more or less perfect. This is not a whispered presentation. The enunciation reminds me of the French video I reviewed a little while ago. The clicks and clucks that professional ASMR artists produce (presumably because they act as a “trigger” for someone) here seem to occur naturally as a result of the way the words are pronounced. For those who like the odd mouth click this must be a very satisfying experience. For me I am about the voice, the normal spoken voice, and this is a great one. It is calm and well-paced. It is not loud and there are various pauses rather than the gabbling-on that some presenters seem to focus on.

There is the odd clothing related noise due to the artist being in motion quite a lot during the video. I did not find it distracting, but if you are using this for sleep there is absolutely no need to be watching it. The sound is good enough I find.

There are sounds which purport to be bed linens being moved (not excessively loud). There is the odd clunk (apparently of equipment being moved). In a similar way there is the odd click, rattling sound, fizzing sound, associated liquid noises, the occasional phrase in Italian thrown in for good measure. (I think I really need to review some of this artist’s Italian Language output – note to self). There are glove-related noises (not my favourite). There are sounds like hands being moved over a surface (these are off camera so who knows).

There is some whispered content (the normal refuge for a professional ASMR artist). There are sounds of gloved fingers being run through hair (I believe some people watch entire videos of that kind of thing but it happens only briefly here). There are noises like items being removed from a large paper bag (not incredibly loud, but loud enough).

There’s the odd tap from a reflex hammer being employed (quite quiet).

I did find myself nodding to it at intervals so I would imagine that a lot of listeners would find it an effective sleep aid.

Because I was recently reviewing some wood carving videos, of course I receive recommendations of more wood carving videos from the same artist. I am not given to review wood carving videos. I rather think I am supposed to be reviewing medical-themed videos. However, I noticed a playlist. I rather liked what I saw. So this week I am going to segue into wood carving (again) purely because I enjoyed the content I found on this channel previously.

The playlist is this one:

However, I am going to start with the first video rather than do the whole thing. We can come back on a future occasion and take a look at another one.

There are seventeen videos in this playlist and none of them seem to be particularly long, save the ultimate one. So, this will not take long. The playlist is “The Great Wave (making the woodblock print)” and the first video is:

The Great Wave – Part 1

Logically enough I suppose.

The channel, of course is David Bull, I detailed a great deal about this channel in a previous post so I will not go mad this time. Suffice to say that it has 192k subscribers, one hundred and forty-seven videos, seven playlists – not a one is on a medical theme (it may surprise you to understand).

If the quality is like that in my previous review, I can quite imagine that I will be back to review every single video here (if I am spared). The updates seemed to have slowed a little with the last video (to the channel) being posted eight months ago. I can review a lot faster than that, but then I am not slaving over something that takes quite so long to prepare.

The notes associated with the video are: “189,087 views 5 Jan 2015

This set of videos will document the production of the new reproduction of Hokusai’s ‘The Great Wave’ being made by Dave Bull and his Mokuhankan woodblock print workshop in Tokyo, in early 2015.

The print is being made as a ‘reward’ for backers of the Kickstarter project run in the autumn of 2014 by Mokuhankan to gather support for their new shop in Asakusa, Tokyo.

The print will be carved by Dave, proofed by him once the blocks are ready, and then produced by his printing staff.”

How marvellous to have notes that are not the equivalent length of one of my blog articles…

The video is just slightly over nine minutes and so is not going to waylay you for long. I like short videos. I do not like that between every video, YouTube inserts an inane advert of no relevance whatsoever to the quiet unobtrusive material that I was just watching.

I’m not certain if you have ever clicked on one of these things. I can remember I mistakenly clicked on an advert – it was for a revolutionary cooling system just at the time that it was thirty-two degrees outside. I was taken to a website but (fortunately for me) did not order anything. I found out a month later the whole thing was an utter scam and the product was incapable of doing what it purported to do. I am even more lairy of adverts today than I was before then.

Back to the video itself. It starts without music. There is a background hiss, it does not sound like air conditioning. It was a little loud when compared to the professional ASMR video I reviewed just before it. So I thumbed the volume down a little. Once at that level the hiss was muted and the voice sounded much better. The subject (to me) was interesting. The pace was slow; the voice seems calm. However, the video goes outside and it is really very loud. Lots of background voice noises (people chatting). It is not the quietest. At one stage you can hear a child screaming. It’s a shame, the video was well worth reviewing up to this stage.

Just one, video this time.

That’s it on this occasion, more next time.

See you again next week.

The David Bull playlist on the Procrastination Pen is here:

The overall playlist of videos covered so far on the Procrastination Pen is here:

The videos weeded out because over time they are just not as good as the others is in this archive list:

I keep this in case subscribers to the Procrastination Pen have personal favourites that they want to hear.

The playlist of videos requiring age verification is here:

I can’t be bothered to stop my listening to log on, this interrupts the experience. You may not mind this in which case this list is for you.

I hope that you find the playlists restful and I hope you get plenty of sleep.

If you liked this blog article, why not follow this blog.

Until next time.

Photo by Deep.ai

Sleeping With ASMR

Of late I am becoming as good at procrastination as the title of the blog would lead you to suspect. I am not writing and yet, perversely, when I am writing I don’t find the process that unpleasant. So it is rather odd that I am choosing to avoid writing in this fashion.

However, apart from getting you a blog article this has nothing to do with ASMR (well as far as I am aware anyway).

Of late I have been falling asleep to Paul Temple who is a character that I came across quite by accident. There is a whole set of Paul Temple playlists on YouTube like this one:

and this follows on rather nicely I think from the Agatha Christie material that I used to dose off to:

There are even more of those, for example:

and in fact, as part of my material that is not on YouTube, I can choose one of those that is in the Internet Archive such as:

https://archive.org/details/ATTWN_AC_DS

https://archive.org/download/ATTWN_AC_DS/01%20-%20And%20Then%20There%20Were%20None.mp3

https://archive.org/download/ATTWN_AC_DS/02%20-%20Ten%20Little%20Soldier%20Boys.mp3

A bit of a cheat in that it has nothing to do with ASMR but as a mechanism of falling off to sleep, I do find that the occasional audiobook is a great way to ring the changes from ASMR every once in a while.

This week’s Calm offering is this one:

https://www.calm.com/app/player/D1jDKA6-QE

Daily Calm

The Place

NARRATOR

Tamara Levitt

AUTHOR

Tamara Levitt

This explores the tendency of grasping.

Calm is not free. I feel a tad guilty about suggesting something that isn’t free in that I am certain it will therefore appeal to very few people, so moving right along.

Today I decided I’d ring the changes in an entirely selfish fashion given that I have been trying to learn Italian for years without success and in my YouTube recommendations I found an Italian teacher who does ASMR. This is not at all medical. It is therefore not on theme for what I have been doing and I apologise for that. Normal service will be resumed soonish.

ASMR Your Italian Teacher Explains Italy Geography Lesson

It is a little less than twenty two minutes so somewhat shorter than some we have been used to. There are comments – a fair few of those and mostly positive too which bodes well. The channel is AppleWhispers ASMR. I am pretty certain I have not been here before; it has 4.15k subscribers, four videos, no playlists and there is even a medical themed video:

So, I may be returning to review that if nothing else. With only four videos over the course of very few blog articles I could review all that there are. Assuming the present one is impressive, at any rate.

There are notes with the channel (of course):

“AppleWhispers ASMR

Description

🌙 Welcome to AppleWhispers ASMR! Hi, I’m Elena! 🤍 I’ve been creating ASMR videos for over 6 years, helping people relax, unwind and fall asleep. I also run one of Italy’s largest ASMR channels, AppleTingles ASMR, and I finally decided to create a space for my English-speaking audience. Here you’ll find: ✨ Soft spoken & whispered ASMR 🩺 Medical roleplays 💆 Personal attention 😴 Sleep & relaxation videos 🎧 Tingly sounds and cozy atmospheres Thank you for being here. I hope my videos can bring you a little peace, wherever you are in the world. Whether you’re here to relax after a long day, reduce anxiety or simply fall asleep, I hope you’ll feel safe and welcome. Sweet dreams, Elena 🍎 🇮🇹 My Italian ASMR channel: https://www.youtube.com/@AppleTinglesASMR“

So that is interesting. This is just a sideline channel o the main feast as it were. I may be reviewing that other channel in future then.

The video (of course) also has notes:

“72,761 views 10 Aug 2026 #asmr #sleep #relax

Today we’re taking a relaxing journey across Italy, exploring the geography, history and fascinating facts that make my country so unique.

Many people know Italy for pizza, pasta and beautiful cities, but there’s so much more to discover.

In this ASMR geography lesson we’ll explore:

🇮🇹 Why Italy is actually a surprisingly young country

🏔️ How the Dolomites were once ancient coral reefs

🌋 Italy’s active volcanoes

🏛️ Vatican City and San Marino

🌊 Italy’s incredible geography

🏞️ Mountains, lakes and coastlines

…and many more fascinating facts!

So, sit back, relax, and let me guide you through one of the world’s most beautiful countries.

If you enjoy this video, let me know in the comments! I’d love to continue this series and explore more of Italy together. ❤️

🍎 Welcome to AppleWhispers ASMR!

Hi, I’m Elena! 🤍

I’m so happy you’re here.

My goal is to help you relax, unwind and fall asleep through gentle whispers, personal attention and immersive ASMR roleplays.

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

🎧 For relaxation purposes only.

Please do not listen while driving or operating machinery.”

I’ve truncated those a lot.

The warning is amusing, who knew that ASMR could be as powerful as a bottle of Night Nurse.

The video starts without music and surprisingly to me it is in English. OK, English teacher teaching Italian, makes sense.

Even for ASMR it seemed a bit slow to me. Despite that, the voice level is ideal, calm, quiet but not a whisper – quite a rare thing.

However, as far as the teaching Italian goes – no Italian. Some details about Italy but not the language as such. OK, serves me right, I should have stuck to the blog theme and stopped dithering about.

At least there aren’t any gloves-related noises in this one. There is the occasional stoke of the map (fingers on paper). But mainly this is all about the voice which is just the way I like it. After a while I found myself adapting to the slower pace and it became ever more restful as I kept listening.

I rather liked this one (as I am certain you understand from that review). Why not take a listen for yourself.

The inadvertent ASMR video this week comes from a time when I was doing the odd diversion from medical themed ASMR videos and so I had a listen to a woodblock carving video and I rather liked what I heard.

I sent myself a reminder to look it up again (Three years ago now) and so here I am with not one but two videos delivered to you in the form of a playlist:

The channel is David Bull with 192k subscribers, One hundred and forty seven videos, seven playlists of which (unsurprisingly) none at all are on a medical theme. I really am taking a foray to stage left this week.

The channel has notes “

“David Bull

Description

Tokyo-based woodblock printmaker David Bull has created a number of video presentations of his work, including a number of videos showing the complete process of making his prints. A highlight of the channel is the series of videos chronicling the production of prints in the Ukiyoe Heroes series – his collaboration with US-based illustrator Jed Henry.

A great deal of the work for producing these videos is recently being assisted by the Patreon community: https://www.patreon.com/mokuhankan/   Thank you very much for your support!

Dave streams three times a week from our Twitch account: https://www.twitch.tv/japaneseprintmaking

Links

Mokuhankan workshopmokuhankan.com

Our Patreon pagepatreon.com/mokuhankan

Woodblock.com websitewoodblock.com

Twitch livestreamingtwitch.tv/japaneseprintmaking”

The first video is this one:

Japanese Woodblock Printmaking Workshop – Hakobi

It too has notes:

“50,125 views 27 May 2021 TOKYO

This is the first in a series of videos demonstrating various traditional techniques and tools in the Japanese mokuhanga woodblock printmaking industry and how we use them today here at Mokuhankan.

Today’s video is about the pigment brushes our printers use, known as ‘hakobi’ (運び) or ‘tokibo’ (解き棒). First Suga-san tells us a little bit about what hakobi are for and why she makes her own instead of only using store-bought ones, and then she demonstrates the whole process from start to finish. Finally, we have a slideshow at the end going over the tying steps again for you to follow while making your own.

We have a list of ideas and have started the process of making more of these – but please feel free to leave a comment about what techniques and tools you are interested in learning about so we can consider your ideas for future videos.

Narration and demonstrations: Natsuki Suga

Cinematography: Yasuhiro Aoyama and Cameron Hilker

Editing and Subtitling: Cameron Hilker

Hasegawa Typeface: Markku Mujunen (https://mokuhankan.com/fonts/ and http://markkumujunen.com/)

On Dave’s personal website, there is more information on making these tools:

http://woodblock.com/encyclopedia/ent…

http://woodblock.com/manga/hakobi/ind…

The Mokuhankan Twitch channel (where you can watch Dave use the tools shown here):

/ japaneseprintmaking

The Mokuhankan website:

https://mokuhankan.com

Our Patreon campaign:

/ mokuhankan “

There are a large number of comments and a number are positive. Some lead me to suspect that ASMR fans are already well aware of this one.

It is a little over fifteen and a half minutes so not huge but bear in mind this week we have two of them to listen to.

It starts with the weather and the weather is rather blustery. There is the sound of crows, of the wind, and the rain. We find that this video is actually in Japanese and is being subtitled. The person presenting has a good voice and the pace is excellent. I love the intonation of the Japanese language and given the subject matter I have some assurance that no rude words have snuck in (despite the fact I have no comprehension of the language personally and I am relying on the subtitles).

There are some random noises, which we’d expect given the subject matter is about woodblock printing not ASMR. There are water noises, paper-related noises, scissors cutting noises, a background noise which sounds like sanding (by hand). The end is a series of instructions with no voice; there is just some background noise, which sounds like cleaning activity to me. If anything, this section of the video is more restful than the rest.

The credits indicate that the narrator/presenter was Natsuki Suga and it may well be worthwhile keeping an eye open for further videos from this source.

The second video is a little alike the first, it is this one:

Japanese Woodblock Printmaking Workshop – A Printer’s Tools and Workspace

it too has notes: “64,382 views 21 Jul 2021 MOKUHANKAN (JAPANESE WOODBLOCK PRINTS AND MORE)

This is the second in our ever-growing series of videos demonstrating various traditional techniques and tools in the Japanese mokuhanga woodblock printmaking style and how we use them today here at Mokuhankan.

Today, Natsuki Suga gives us a tour of her printing bench and surrounding workspace. Watch to learn a bit more about each tool she uses in her daily work as a printmaker. We hope you will enjoy this overview and learn something along the way, as well.

Printmaker and Host: Natsuki Suga

Video and Photos: Cameron Hilker

Hasegawa Typeface: Markku Mujunen (https://mokuhankan.com/fonts/ and http://markkumujunen.com/)

To see Suga-san actually using this space, watch this video:

• Woodblock Printing Process – A Japan Journey

The Mokuhankan Twitch channel (where you can watch Dave use many of the tools shown here):

/ japaneseprintmaking

The Mokuhankan website:

https://mokuhankan.com

Our Patreon campaign:

/ mokuhankan “

It is little less than fourteen- and three-quarter minutes. The comments are still largely positive and again some of the comments lead me to suspect that ASMR fans have come visiting. It starts loud though, with the sound of a train and various city related noises. Again, we have Natsuki Suga as the presenter, same great voice, same peaceful style. If anything, less background noise. This time Natsuki is not on the floor. I did fear for the knees in that position but less fearful when sat at a desk. The subject in itself appears to me fascinating but of course we are here for the sound and I would say we are well served in that respect. I like the intonation; I like the pace. There is the overarching sense of peace about the entire presentation.

So, two whole videos this week and a playlist thrown in for fun.

I wish you well in your drive to get more sleep.

That’s it on this occasion, more next time.

See you again next week.

The David Bull playlist on The Procrastination Pen is here:

The overall playlist of videos covered so far on the Procrastination Pen is here:

The videos weeded out because over time they are just not as good as the others is in this archive list:

I keep this in case subscribers to the Procrastination Pen have personal favourites that they want to hear.

The playlist of videos requiring age verification is here:

I can’t be bothered to stop my listening to log on, this interrupts the experience. You may not mind this in which case this list is for you.

I hope that you find the playlists restful and I hope you get plenty of sleep.

If you liked this blog article, why not follow this blog.

Until next time.

Photo by Deep.ai

Sleeping With ASMR

Of late it has seemed to me that a change of approach might be indicated. A weekly approach to inadvertent ASMR videos located only on YouTube might eventually get to be boring for some. Those who happen upon the blog might be asking yes well, but what next.

Of course I can do more. Already I am looking at Calm and at professional ASMR artists but does this really result in any better-quality outcomes? The key, as I’m sure we agree, is a better night’s sleep and a dropping off to sleep that happens reliably and rapidly.

Sadly, I am not sure that I have achieved all that myself. I’ve tried a number of legal pills, some work, some do not. (Frankly, I would not know where to get the illegal variety even should I be so inclined.) I’m using Calm to try to build up some kind of meditation discipline, just in case a surfeit of mental self-control also results in a metaphorical off switch. It seems to me, if that is the route, then it’s going to take a long time in getting there. Of late, the most effective route has been lying on the sofa with some awful early morning TV programme burbling away. Despite what you might be told about the influence of light from the television or the impact of noise on restfulness, more often than not that is an effective action.

YouTube has historically been great (hence this blog), but the increasing intensity of adverts and the lack of filtering for quieter overnight adverts can undo the good work of the playlist in drifting off in the first place.

Admittedly, in the early hours, some TV channels change over from awful programmes to even more awful teleshopping presentations, with presenters of a personality which seems to indicate they do take something of a stimulating variety simply in order to keep it up…

There is nothing that is a perfect solution. Perhaps the Procrastination Pen playlist is one of those things that may prove to be helpful. (I’m always ready to receive feedback regarding improvements).

In the interest of changes (however small), this week’s Calm recommendation has nothing whatever to do with sleep:

Anger Management, Jeff Warren

https://www.calm.com/app/player/HzvkP4OlNV

However, I do find Jeff Warren’s voice to be restful and the material is interesting. It also is gratifyingly short, so is not going to be waking you again once you have drifted off.

This week, the YouTube recommendation from a presenter who set themselves up as a ASMR video professional is this one:

ASMR the BEST Full Body Exam | “Unintentional” Real Person ASMR | Abdomen, Lung & Back Inspection

It has notes: “2,633,344 views 21 Nov 2022

The most precise and professional ASMR on a real person you will see in a while with layered real sounds of lung listening (respiratory auscultation) and abdomen sounds (abdomen ausculation). Well-prepared unintentional ASMR examination with lung inspection, abdomen inspection, skin inspection, eye examination, hearing examination, cranial nerve examination, and hair inspection.

Ways to support the channel: https://swopi.co/kewas_asmr (all links)

!!!! NEW !!!! Send Kewa a GIFT:

https://thronegifts.com/u/kewas_asmr

Join my Patreon:

/ kewas_asmr

Donate thanks to NEW button SUPER THANKS! (button right below the video – heart with a dollar in it)

Follow me on IG to know more about the process:

/ kewas_asmr

Leave a LIKE, COMMENT and do not forget to turn ON the notifications on your SUBSCRIPTION!

*Disclaimer: We are not professional doctors, security or any other role we play in these videos. This video is for relaxation purposes only. Do not take any medical advice from this content.”

So, the normal level of self-promotion. Comments are permitted and for a change are predominantly positive. As we have come to expect both participants in the video are attractive, I wonder if it is even feasible to make your way as an ASMR artist with a more average appearance. If I find such a video I will feature it.

The video is slightly less than fifty minutes in length so substantial compared to material we have seen recently.

Sadly, it starts with music and, worse, quite loud music which seems to be key to yet more brand promotion, but I would have thought militates against instant restfulness.

There is a strong background noise (air conditioning, I suspect) And initially at least, the voices are not that quiet. However, it settles into the more whispered approach that we are by now familiar with.

The channel is Kewas ASMR and of course it appears on the ASMR index. The channel has three hundred and sixty one videos, four playlists and 333K subscribers. A very busy channel.

The video has equipment noises and there is a kind of bassy sound as if the microphone was slightly being overwhelmed, or it is an echo effect from the room in which it was filmed. Turning the volume down did not appear to remove this on the equipment I was using.

There are parts of the video where internal noises are played quite loudly, for example, heart beats and intestinal gurgles.

Despite these limitations and in common with many of the commentators, I did find the video restful. However, given that this is not an inadvertent ASMR video all these sound factors are within the control of the person filming, and so I do wonder at the choices that include them. I have concluded thus far that it is a drive for authenticity in the material, but I think the video would better promote relaxation if the extraneous noise were to be removed. Again, if I come across such a video (i.e. without these unnecessary noises) I will feature it.

I did find at intervals that I wanted the video to be shorter (which is probably not a great sign). However, I do think it worthy of review if you want to take a look/listen.

Today’s more bread-and-butter offering (at least as far as this blog goes) is the following:

March 28, 2017

Shari Rice is the channel. This has three hundred and seventy-six subscribers, one video, one playlist. The single video is just over fifty minutes in length and this time it is the only video on the site so come-what-may it is going to be the only inadvertent ASMR video I review this week.

There are notes: “148,625 views 30 Mar 2017

Rambo_Head to toe assessment_Nurs 5418”

Comments are permitted and include a number of ASMR-related responses and a number of unhelpful comments – so normal for YouTube comments then. At least it proves that I am not the first person looking for an inadvertent ASMR video who located this one.

The video appears to be one drawn from that rich seam of videos which I often feature, the medical student assessment video. It starts with some aggravating noises, presumably originating with the recording device being manipulated to show the whole room. Straight away we discover that background noise is going to be (a quite intrusive) thing. There is a sound like a motor running constantly in the background (presumably an older air conditioning system). The voices are not classically ASMR-y. There is certainly no whispering here.

We find that the medical practitioner is Sharon Rambo. I notice the channel is Shari Rice so I’m speculating Sharon Rambo got married to a Mr (or Miss) Rice at some stage after the video was filmed. Sharon tells us that this is a “Head to Toe” assessment. A type of assessment which has been featured here many times before. The identity card that appears in the video does not appear to give away where the assessment is taking place. The card is issued in 2016 and the film is dated 28/03/2017 (UK date order, so, March) but there is no obvious clue which course this relates to. However, straight away Sharon introduces herself as a Nurse Practitioner at UT Arlington – hence the “A” symbol on the identity card. A look at the UT Arlington website indicates that the horses head icon (as seen on the identity card) also prominently features.

So that is where we are and when we are.

The ”patient” is introduced as Savannah Martin (which may or may not be misspelled). Who is apparently twenty in this video so nearer twenty-eight now I would guess. Savannah has the look of someone who is not completely entertained by the process and indeed it does seem to go on a bit. Presumably this is so that all the material required by the course is covered.

At intervals Sharon seems to refer to notes which makes the presentation a little staccato. However, it settles down and Sharon’s voice likewise. In fact her voice is much quieter when performing the hands-on parts of the examination and hence these seem to be the best sections.

As we have seen before with student videos, the presentation at intervals is halting, presumably as memory fails… There is of course the occasional equipment noise, including the odd quite loud bang. There is humour – Savannah turns out to be ticklish…

After a while I found myself settling into the listening and it actually was restful (just as many of the commentators had reflected). It’s not the greatest ASMR experience ever, but I certainly think it is good enough for the playlist.

Have a review for yourself and see what you think.

The overall playlist of videos covered so far on the Procrastination Pen is here:

The videos weeded out because over time they are just not as good as the others is in this archive list:

I keep this in case subscribers to the Procrastination Pen have personal favourites that they want to hear.

The playlist of videos requiring age verification is here:

I can’t be bothered to stop my listening to log on, this interrupts the experience. You may not mind this in which case this list is for you.

I hope that you find the playlists restful and I hope you get plenty of sleep.

If you liked this blog article why not follow this blog.

Until next time.

Picture DeepAI.org

Sleeping With ASMR

I am noticing on YouTube, a number of channels dedicated to the collecting of inadvertent ASMR videos and, sometimes the creation of playlists of such videos, which in many ways replicates the work that I am doing.

There are also blogs out there producing some quality work in this area, so it is feasible that any ASMR-related output has been accomplished even more professionally elsewhere. If you do have a favourite outlet for ASMR material pass it along and I will feature it. I may even listen to it personally.

For the moment I am carrying on doing what I have done for over a year now, reviewing videos, generating playlists, occasionally editing the playlists when I don’t feel that they are fit for purpose. If you happen across this blog in your search for better ASMR material, by all means, give me some feedback and I’ll try to incorporate any relevant suggestions.

Of late, I have been listening to Calm because I have a subscription and, for me, that subscription gives some value, in that without it, I doubt I would be maintaining any kind of meditation discipline. Its value as a sleep aid I have found a bit variable. Indeed, I have found that the Calm daily meditations are more restful in many cases than the items dedicated to sleep. Not least that a number of the items dedicated to sleep incorporate music, which, personally, I do not find helpful in assisting me to get off to sleep. Your mileage may vary.

Today’s Calm item is just the same and, again, it is one of my favourite voices on there, Jeff Warren. Who, coincidentally, once in a while has something useful to say as well. Don’t take this as a recommendation to start splashing your cash. Heaven forfend. I am certain that with a bit of discipline there are other, free, options available.

https://www.calm.com/app/player/Yj26VDZzW_ Jeff Warren, Daily Trip, Sometimes It’s Hard.

However, if, for example, you already have a Calm subscription you may want to give the above a whirl.

For a few weeks now I have been giving a professional ASMR video a review. Today’s comes via a slightly esoteric route, in that I have been trying to learn Italian via Duolingo, without success, for way – way too long. It was for this reason that a video in Italian, by a non-Italian ASMR artist rather appealed.

The video is this one:

ITALY’S Old School Eye Exam is SO Relaxing | Real ASMR sounds

It is from LaLek ASMR a channel with three hundred and ten videos, 242K subscribers and whose output seems to incorporate an impressive number of massage videos. As expected, the channel also appears on the ASMR Index.

The video has notes, some of which are dedicated to self-promotion, so a precis of which are as follows:

“2,152,940 views 14 Feb 2025 #EyeExam #MedicalASMR #ASMR

Ciao a tutti! 🌿✨ Today, I’m taking you inside an old-school eye clinic in Italy for a real eye exam with a gentle, professional old-school eye doctor and vintage optometry tools. This classic vision test includes trial frames, Snellen Eye Test Chart, near and far vision testing, and vintage optometry equipments—all creating unintentional ASMR with soft-spoken moments, gentle tapping, and soothing sounds. 💆‍♂️👓

If you love medical ASMR, real eye exams, and the nostalgic charm of old-fashioned clinics, this video is for you!”

Comments are permitted and surprisingly, are positive and seem to lack the off-the-wall and damning. Perhaps such commentators take a little while to catch up.

The video is a little less than thirty minutes and it is surprising how effective hearing an ASMR video in another language actually is. However, there are quite loud equipment noises. It is also punctuated by ads sadly. There are various electric motor noises, beeps and clicks. None of these seem excessively loud. The summation by the eye specialist is a little louder and somewhat faster than the rest. It isn’t terrible but does not stand up well in comparison with the nicely quiet presentation that has gone just before.

Today we return to a channel that I did promise I would revisit after a moderately successful first review of it.

The channel is Farsight Channel and will be familiar to regular readers.

The video is this one:

Macleod’s examination of the sensory system of the upper limbs

A little less than five- and three-quarter minutes long. Omar and Amy as in the previous article, and by this time I am getting used to that artificial voice (maybe that is just me). A video of that voice would not be unpleasant for us I feel, even though there seems a slight discontinuity between the sound and the video.

Macleod’s examination of the cervical spine

Ben and Omar again. Omar’s responses are so abrupt and flat that it is laughable, definitely not Omar’s genuine voice (in fact, I doubt that Omar is even the “patient’s” name).

It is just over two minutes long and, in every respect, follows the findings indicated for the previous videos in this post.

Macleod’s examination of the ear

Omar with Amy, and I have decided that I like the artificial voice of Amy a lot more than the artificial voice of Ben. Shucks, am I admitting to liking a synthesized voice? Well not really, just that I think it is better than another computer-generated voice.

This one is less than one minute so there is barely time to take in what the participants are saying before it is all over. Again, the narrator is not as quiet as the participants.

Macleod’s examination of the upper limbs motor function

Ben and Omar, but this time a narrator who is different to the one we have had previously, not only that, but he has a markedly superior voice. Much preferred intonation and volume for our purposes.

Omar responds “no” in a completely flat tone which, if you have listened to the ones that went before in this post, you will be completely familiar with.

This is just less than six minutes, so a positive marathon in terms of some in this post but miniscule compared to some we have seen.

Macleod’s examination of lower limb motor function

This is just over five minutes long. Ben and Omar, same narrator as above and this narrator would have been great for all of the videos. Perhaps I will be entering into some judicious weeding of videos from the main Procrastination playlist into the archive list and including only those with this narrator. I’ll let them bed in and see if they are all deserving of long-term membership.

Macleod’s examination of the Hip joint

Just over six and a half minutes, Ben and Omar the participants again. These have all been very similar, which is remarkable in that there has been little to dislike about any of them. I sometimes resort to pointing out minor niggles to distinguish between them (like the narrator’s voice for example). Here we have the preferred narrator of the two featured in this blog post. Already then, we are on a good footing (given the narrator is talking for much of the video).

Definition, just because I thought a picture would be useful – lumbar spine

Macleod’s examination of the respiratory system

Amy with Omar and this time with my preferred narrator. So preferred participants (for this set anyway) and preferred narrator, so something of a jackpot. It is nearly thirteen minutes and so reasonably long for the posts we have been covering this time.

Definition Cricosternal distance distance between the cricoid cartilage and the suprasternal notch (labelled as Jugular notch below)

Macleod’s Examination of the cardiovascular system

Just over twelve- and three-quarter minutes, Amy with Omar, and the last of the videos in this particular post. The preferred narrator in fact a good video to go out on.

Definition Cyanotic Congenital Heart Disease, a disease present at birth leading to low levels of oxygen in the blood.

The Farsight Playlist on the Procrastination Pen is here:

The overall playlist of videos covered so far on the Procrastination Pen is here:

The videos weeded out because over time they are just not as good as the others is in this archive list:

I keep this in case subscribers to the Procrastination Pen have personal favourites that they want to hear.

The playlist of videos requiring age verification is here:

I can’t be bothered to stop my listening to log on, this interrupts the experience. You may not mind this in which case this list is for you.

I hope that you find the playlists restful and I hope you get plenty of sleep.

If you liked this blog article why not follow this blog.

Until next time.

Picture DeepAI.org