Yawning
A Sigh of Relief
Ever noticed yourself or someone else yawning during deep moments of change or healing? While yawning is often seen as a sign of boredom or tiredness, it actually signals something much deeper, especially in trauma healing.
Understanding Yawning in Healing
Yawning involves opening your mouth wide, taking a deep breath in, and a shorter breath out. This action not only increases oxygen but also cools the brain, giving it a quick refresh. It’s not just about physical relaxation; it’s a way for your brain to transition from one state to another, like moving from being alert to feeling relaxed or shifting from tension to balance.
Yawning helps your body return to homeostasis, a state of internal stability. By increasing oxygen levels and cooling the brain, yawning can lower blood pressure and stabilize processes disrupted by stress or anxiety.
The Nervous System’s Role in Trauma Healing
Your nervous system controls automatic functions like breathing and blinking. Yawning can indicate a shift in your nervous system from high stress to relaxation. During trauma healing, yawning acts like a reset button, helping to calm the brain and body.
Yawning as a Sign of Deep Change
People often feel embarrassed about yawning, especially during emotional shifts. But yawning is a positive sign of deep work being done in the nervous system. For those in therapy or coaching for trauma healing, yawning indicates that significant change and healing are happening.
Adjusting Your State of Consciousness
If you’re aiding someone in their change work, yawning can also be a sign that you need to adjust your state of consciousness. You might find yourself lulled into a meditative trance by your client’s words, and yawning can indicate that you need to re-engage and adjust your focus to stay present and effective.
If you find yourself yawning during sessions or deep reflection, see it as a cue from your body. It’s not about being bored or sleepy; it’s your body’s way of managing and resetting. Here’s how to respond:
Breathe Deeply: Follow up with deep breaths to enhance the calming effect.
Take a Short Break: Step away from the stressful situation for a brief reset.
Stretch or Move: Physical activity can release tension. Even a quick stretch can help.
Embracing and Understanding the Yawn
Rather than feeling self-conscious about yawning during tense moments, recognize it as a helpful response. It’s how your body manages stress, providing a break in the cycle of tension.
By tuning into signals like yawning, you gain insight into how your body copes with stress. This understanding helps you respond more effectively, guiding you towards greater calm and control.
Take Action to Regulate Your Nervous System
Next time you yawn, remember it’s not a sign of boredom but a natural, adaptive response. Use it as a reminder to breathe, stretch, and shift your focus. That’ll help you handle stress more effectively.
If you want to understand and manage these unconscious responses better, I can help you train your brain to regulate your nervous system, empowering you to face life’s challenges with greater resilience and calm.
Curious to learn more about how your body communicates and how you can use these signals to your advantage? Click the link below to dive deeper into your journey of self-awareness and healing!
