Is Yawning In Therapy Rude?

Hey there,

I’m guessing you’re reading this for one of two reasons:

• You’ve been the client who yawns in session.

• Or you’ve been on the receiving end, maybe your client yawned, or you witnessed your therapist yawning

And suddenly, that yawn seemed to say something it probably didn’t.

For the past couple hundred years (or longer), we’ve been conditioned to believe yawning is a conscious behavior. Something we do to signal boredom. Disinterest. Fatigue. A polite (or not-so-polite) way of saying, “I do not care.” (Currently watching the new season of Bridgerton and can only imagine the scandal if someone yawned!)

And if we’re the one witnessing the yawn? It’s easy for the story to turn inward:

• Am I boring?

• Am I too much?

• Are they not interested in me?

But what if that story isn’t accurate?

What if yawning isn’t about disrespect or disinterest at all?

Because yawning in therapy? It’s often a completely normal nervous system response.

Let’s unpack that.

Yawning Is a Nervous System Shift

According to Stephen Porges and Polyvagal Theory, yawning is often a sign of regulation, not disengagement.

Rather than signaling boredom, a yawn can reflect a shift in the autonomic nervous system, particularly activation of the parasympathetic branch, the part of our nervous system responsible for rest, digestion, and restoration.

In other words, yawning can help the body regulate.

Research suggests yawning can help with :

• Cooling the brain (supporting alertness and cognitive functioning)

• Regulating mood and shifting physiological state

• Soothing the body, creating sense of safety

• Releasing tension in the body

In addition to yawning, there are many ways our bodies react when regulating, even during a therapy session:

• Noises from stomach digestion or burping

• Sighing or deep breaths

• Shaking or fidgeting body movements

• An urge to use the restroom

• Thirst or hunger

• Tears

So, in a reframe from what society has taught us, it is normal to yawn or make other noises, and these responses can even have benefits like:

• Helping our body safely continue to process traumatic experiences

• Regulating our body's temperature to help with focus

• Offering connection. When we see other people yawn, it signals our mirror neurons, which can cause us to experience the same physical reaction another person is experiencing

• Signaling that we are tired, and may need to assess our sleep patterns

Next time a yawn appears in session, from you or the person across from you, notice it as part of the body’s natural rhythm, not a statement about interest or attention. Bodies communicate constantly, often in subtle ways. Yawning, sighing, fidgeting, or even tears are all part of how we process, regulate, and connect.

Wishing you compassion in your next session, whether it’s filled with yawns, burps, or any other body reactions, as you do the meaningful work of showing up for yourself or another.

If you are looking for therapy in Texas, we'd love to support you at The Couch Therapy.

Schedule a free consultation today https://www.thecouchtherapy.org/category/our-team

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