Is Yawning Normal During EMDR?

Short Answer: Yes. Yawning can happen during EMDR and, by itself, is generally not a reason to worry. Researchers have not established exactly why some people yawn during a session or whether yawning has any particular connection to EMDR. It may simply be an ordinary physical response that occurs while concentrating, feeling tired, or beginning to relax.

If you have noticed yourself yawning during an EMDR session, it does not necessarily mean anything is wrong. You may yawn once, several times, or not at all. Each of these experiences can occur, and yawning alone does not tell you how well the session is going.

Key Takeaways

• Yawning can happen during an EMDR session
• Researchers have not established why some people yawn during EMDR
• Yawning may be related to tiredness, concentration, relaxation, or another ordinary cause
• Some people may yawn several times, while others may not yawn at all
• Yawning is not a reliable indicator of whether EMDR is working

Why Do Some People Yawn During EMDR?

EMDR involves briefly focusing on a distressing memory while engaging in bilateral stimulation, such as eye movements, tapping, or alternating sounds. During a session, you may also notice physical responses such as yawning, sighing, stretching, or changes in how tense or relaxed you feel.

Researchers have not established a specific explanation for yawning during EMDR. Yawning can occur for many ordinary reasons, including tiredness, sustained attention, boredom, changes in alertness, or relaxation. It is therefore difficult to know whether a yawn is connected to the EMDR process or would have happened anyway.

Because everyone experiences EMDR differently, you may yawn during a session while someone else may not. Neither response is better or more meaningful on its own.

What Does Yawning During EMDR Mean?

You may wonder whether yawning means EMDR is working.

Yawning does not provide a reliable way to measure progress. You might notice it as you begin to feel calmer, but that does not prove that the yawn was caused by emotional processing or a change in your nervous system. You can also have a productive session without yawning.

Rather than assigning a particular meaning to the yawn, pay attention to your overall experience. For example, notice whether the memory feels different, whether your level of distress changes, or whether new thoughts, emotions, or sensations arise during the session.

What Should You Do If You Yawn During EMDR?

You do not need to do anything special simply because you yawn.

You can:

• Let the yawn happen naturally
• Continue if you feel comfortable
• Keep breathing normally
• Take a brief pause between sets if you need a moment before continuing

Yawning usually does not need to interrupt a session. However, if you are struggling to stay awake or concentrate, it may be more helpful to pause and return when you feel more alert.

Conclusion

Yawning can happen during EMDR, but researchers have not established exactly why it occurs or whether it has any specific meaning. It may be connected to tiredness, concentration, relaxation, or another ordinary cause.

Whether you yawn once, several times, or not at all, yawning alone does not indicate how well EMDR is working. You can simply let it happen, notice your overall experience, and continue when you feel comfortable.