Wellness in the Workplace: Can Listening to Audiobooks & ASMR Content Help?
Audiobooks and ASMR content have become incredibly popular in recent times, with a massive variety of content now available.
While they're both great for helping us to unwind after a long day, an increasingly large number of people are choosing to plug in while working. In fact, we recently carried out a survey* that revealed 7% of people listen to ASMR content and 13% to audiobooks while working. Is this new workplace habit here to stay? It certainly seems so, and there are a number of reasons why that's a positive thing.
Whether you're listening to garden sounds or the latest crime thriller, here are the benefits of ASMR content and audiobooks in both the workplace and elsewhere.
A New Form of Meditation
ASMR has seen a rapid rise over the last few years, going from something of a cult following to the online phenomenon it is now. Certain sounds are used to trigger an automatic physiological response, often described as a warm tingling sensation. It may seem rather niche, but the reality is we can’t get enough of it. There are now more than 13 million ASMR videos on YouTube, covering everything from cooking sounds to gentle whispering.
Not everyone experiences ASMR (that's autonomous sensory meridian response), but those lucky enough to enjoy the effect of these videos can actually benefit from them. As well as bucketloads of anecdotal evidence praising the positive side effects of ASMR, there have also been several groundbreaking studies to back up these claims. A 2018 study by The University of Sheffield found that the pleasant 'brain tingles' created by ASMR videos may have benefits for both mental and physical health. Not only did the response trigger feelings of calm and relaxation in the participants, their heart rates were also significantly reduced, indicating stress-relieving qualities akin to mindful meditation.
These stress-busting advantages could help to explain why ASMR content is catching on in the workplace. In today's rapidly paced society, having access to tools that help to create a positive and more relaxed mindset is hugely beneficial.
A Soothing Escape
Audiobooks are also booming. Growing faster than any other format, sales are expected to reach $3.5 billion in 2020, according to research from Deloitte Long hailed as a beacon of productivity - a study by Thomas C. Corley found that 63% of self-made millionaires listen to an audiobook on their commute - they're also a popular accompaniment for things like cooking and exercise.
Listening at work has its benefits too. There's something soothing about hearing a human voice reading aloud; many people use audiobooks for their insomnia for this reason. The idea that they can help us relax in potentially stressful situations could be linked to our ancient ancestors. Long before written language came to exist, storytelling was done orally, so perhaps it makes sense that we still feel comforted by stories told this way.
Audiobooks can also help to boost our mood. Following a story helps to break those cycles of negative thoughts that often lead to anxiety. Having a narrator help you to build another world inside your head allows you to focus on something positive, and not get caught up in minor issues - something we're all likely to be guilty of doing at work. Of course, this is equally beneficial outside of work, and given that people in the UK now spend the equivalent of a whole day each week staring at a screen, listening to an audiobook is a great way to give our eyes a break.
The Power of Headphones
It's no huge surprise that using headphones has become commonplace at work; only one in four people we surveyed said that their workplace has a ‘no headphones’ policy. Being able to drown out the hustle and bustle around you means you can avoid unwanted distractions and be more focused on your tasks.
Using headphones to enjoy audiobooks and ASMR also helps to create a more powerful experience, letting you fully immerse yourself in the content. Listening to ASMR content this way allows you to hear each sound much more clearly, making it more intense and creating stronger physiological responses. Audiobooks are often best enjoyed through headphones, too. Having the narrator's voice directed straight into your ear canal is a lot more intimate and therefore feels more engrossing and soothing.
If you're looking for the ultimate ASMR or audiobook experience, you'll probably want to consider upgrading to noise-cancelling headphones. The market for these types of headphones is expected to see solid growth over the next five years; perhaps in some part thanks to the rise of ASMR content and audiobooks. There are now two different types of noise-cancelling headphones and earphones available; passive, which drown out external sounds, and active, which use sound-matching technology to actually erase those external sounds, such as the S500W true wireless earbuds that feature high-performance dual hybrid noise cancelling.
Listening to either audiobooks and ASMR content whilst working can have a range of potential benefits. From physical wellbeing to boosting productivity, an increasing number of people are using both types of content to their advantage. Why not give it a go and see if it works for you? Just don't forget your headphones for maximum immersion!
* Survey of 2000 Employed UK Adults, carried out in March 2020 by Panasonic UK
