NATIONAL YAWNING DAY
Join us for cultural change, fun and research.
One humble yawn. What might we discover together?
We've learnt to cover it up. Apologise for it. Sometimes fight it with everything we've got.
But what happens when the humble yawn gets a different welcome?
This National Yawning Day, join The Great Big Yawn CIC as we explore changing the story of yawning, from boredom, apathy and exhaustion towards hope, creativity and possibility. Contagiously together.
Will you be part of this global cultural shift?
Join Rachel Earing and a Great Big Yawn Ambassador on Zoom in a Safe Room. Bring your curiosity, count your yawns and help us discover what happens when people are given permission to stop stifling them.
Share National Yawning Day
Free to join. Donations welcome. No yawning experience required.
Or support our work with a donationTuesday 10 November 2026 ยท additional sessions on Mon 9, Wed 11 and Thu 12 November
What is a Safe Room?
A Safe Room is a free 20-minute Zoom room on National Yawning Day. Small, unhurried and open to anyone โ with nothing to perform and no yawn forced.
Nothing to perform
No icebreakers, no cameras required. If no yawn arrives, you still belong in the room.
Come as you are
Tired counts. Curious counts. Quiet counts. You don't need a reason good enough to join.
Permission, not teaching
You already know how to care, notice and listen. We just make 20 minutes of room for it.
You don't need teaching that. What many people need is permission to pause and begin again.
Pick a time below โ
Choose your Safe Room
National Yawning Day is Tuesday 10 November 2026, with additional sessions on Monday 9, Wednesday 11 and Thursday 12 November.
All times below are UK time โ GMT. Every Safe Room lasts 20 minutes, with a ten-minute break before the next one.
Monday 9 November
Morning
9amโ1pm
Tuesday 10 November
National Yawning Day
4pmโ9pm
Wednesday 11 November
Morning
9amโ10:30am
Wednesday 11 November
Afternoon and Evening
4pmโ9pm
Choosing "all sessions" means every scheduled session in that block, with the ten-minute breaks and any gaps in the programme shown in your summary before you confirm.
One booking per session keeps your place โ the same email can book as many different sessions as you like.
You don't need to be cheerful, energetic or particularly good at joining in. Come as you are.
We'll welcome you, explain the counting and spend 20 minutes together allowing natural yawns to arrive, without forcing them.
Count your own yawns, then share your tally with your Ambassador. We'll add the session's total to our global count.
A giggle is welcome. A quiet moment is welcome. And if you don't yawn at all, you still count as part of our community.
Join us for 20 minutes, several sessions or every session throughout the day. Please book each session you want to attend. The programme includes short breaks between sessions.
Does welcoming a yawn feel different from apologising for one?
Does sharing the experience change how we feel about yawning around other people?
Could something so ordinary become an invitation to connect?
Complete our short survey before and after taking part, if you choose, and help us explore these questions.
This is exploratory community research into experiences and attitudes. We're curious about what people report, including no change. We aren't promising a treatment or a particular outcome. See the participant information beside the booking form.
Small contributions. Shared possibilities.
Your yawns contribute to our global tally. Your feedback contributes to our learning. And, if you can donate, your gift will support our work towards regenerating people and places.
The Great Big Yawn CIC is raising funds for land regeneration and community participation projects, including the proposed Rammy project. Our ambition is to create welcoming ways for people recovering from long-term illness, including people currently unable to work, to contribute at their own pace, connect with others and feel their contribution matters.
Participation is free. Donations are optional. Everyone is welcome.
DONATE TO PEOPLE AND PLACE REGENERATIONBring someone with you
Invite a friend. Gather your colleagues. Join with your community group.
You don't have to change the world on your own. You can start by sharing 20 minutes.
What might happen if we gave the humble yawn a warmer welcome?
One yawn at a time. Hosted by The Great Big Yawn CIC.