Don’t assume yawning means tired.
When I notice that my client has yawned, I pause and appreciate the yawn. Rarely does it mean that they are tired or not paying attention. Most of the time it means they are settling in and co-regulating with me.
Neuroscience: Yawning is often associated with fatigue, but it can also be a sign of relaxation. The body’s need to yawn doesn’t always stem from tiredness or the need to sleep; instead, it can indicate a state of calm. When we yawn during moments of relaxation, it’s the body’s way of shifting gears from an active state to a more restful one. This response might be tied to the parasympathetic nervous system, which governs our ability to relax and unwind. So, while yawning is commonly linked to tiredness, it’s important to recognize that it can also signal that we’re simply at ease, enjoying a quiet, restful moment.
