British Columbians tune in six days a week to the public health updates from Dr. Bonnie Henry to stay informed about how COVID-19 is affecting our province.
But there's an additional bonus for some listeners: Henry's soft, soothing tones.
Pictured on t-shirts and murals, subject of social media fan groups, and admired for her poise and her closet of Vancouver-based John Fluevog shoes, Henry also happens to have the kind of voice people who experience ASMR really enjoy.
ASMR, which stands for Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response, was a term coined in 2010 by Jennifer Allen, according to the NY Times.
Basically it's the pleasant, sometimes tingly feeling you get from certain sounds. Some have described it as a "sparkle" feeling inside your head, or even a "brain-gasm." Sometimes the sensation travels from the top of the head and down the spine.
As ASMR became widely known, thanks in no small part so social media and pop culture, there are entire YouTube channels devoted to its particularly stimulating sounds, like whispering.
The B.C. based site I Need To Sleep Now specializes in what's called "Unintentional ASMR" and recently they shared a Dr. Henry COVID-19 update on their YouTube channel and Facebook page.
They call the video clip "The most soft spoken advice on current crisis to calm you."
To be fair, if you're watching this particular video, rather than just listening to it, and you're from outside B.C. you might zero in on Nigel Howard, the captivating ASL interpreter often translating at the press conferences.
Of course, the Dr. Bonnie Henry Fan Club on Facebook shared the ASMR post, asking if members also found Henry's voice especially soothing in that tingly way.
"ASMR was my my immediate thought when I first heard her speak!" said one group member.
And more agreement here: "Yes! I was telling my family the other day that her voice is like butter! And that I want her to read me bedtime stories."
One YouTube commenter from south of our border observed: "This was so relaxing...a complete 180° from watching coverage here in America. Well done BC...it actually sounds like she cares about the people and not a reelection."Or how about this: "Her voice is mad relaxing. I’ve listened to this video 5x already. Who knew a coronavirus update could be so calming?"
Who knew, indeed?
"With her voice, this virus thing doesn’t seem that upsetting," offered one listener.
COVID-19 is definitely still upsetting, but here in B.C. we can take heed to Henry's steady reminder to "Be calm, be kind, be safe," amidst the chaos. Bonus if it's literally her voice keeping you calm.
