Virgin Atlantic has released a ‘ASMR’ video showcasing the sights and sounds we have missed the most during the pandemic. A survey of more than 1000 British adults showed that more than two thirds of Brits are looking forward to their next long haul flight and top destinations include Barbados, New York, California and Florida.
Corneel Koster, Chief Customer and Operating Officer at Virgin, said: “We have missed looking after our customers onboard this past year and cannot wait to welcome them back once restrictions are lifted and travel resumes at scale. At Virgin Atlantic, we pride ourselves on offering our customers a brilliantly different experience, so the concept of ASMR and giving people that magical tingly feeling, is the perfect tool to remind our customers of the travel experience that awaits them when they come back to the skies with us.
“Whether it’s the ubiquitous clicking shut of the overhead locker, or the familiar routine of the safety demonstration, it’s the sensory memory of these moments that our customers long for, heading off on their well deserved holidays, starting a fabulous adventure.”
Relax with ASMR
Dr Giulia Poerio, Psychology Lecturer at University of Essex commented:“Scientific research supports claims that ASMR is something that can make people feel relaxed. People with ASMR show significant reductions in their heart rates when watching ASMR videos, reductions comparable to other more well-established stress alleviating techniques such as mindfulness and music therapy. We now have more objective evidence that ASMR is relaxing (it’s not just people telling us that ASMR makes them feel relaxed – their physiology is telling us the same thing too). ASMR videos allow people to experience the feeling ‘on demand’ and with greater longevity and intensity. This has meant that people use ASMR videos for insomnia, to reduce stress and anxiety and even to provide relief from loneliness. It’s perhaps no surprise then that many have turned to ASMR content so much during the pandemic.
“ASMR-tingling is associated with increased activation in brain regions involved in emotion, empathy and affiliative behaviours. As a result, ASMR has been likened to caring behaviours – suggesting that ASMR activates neurological pathways involved in socioemotional bonding. This idea is somewhat supported by research showing that ASMR videos increase feelings of social connection.”
