More than 100 people came together to create the longest “chain reaction” of yawns.
The feat was accomplished to celebrate the launch of “YawnHub,” an online platform dedicated to contagious yawning content, by the UK bed specialist, Bensons for Beds, headquartered in Accrington.
This initiative was conceived following a study that laid bare the 30 most awkward moments when Brits have been caught yawning.
These instances include weddings, dates, and even when meeting a partner’s parents.
The study, which surveyed 2,000 adults, revealed that on average, adults yawn five times a day, with the most popular yawning period being between 8pm and 10pm.
This was closely followed by the afternoon period of 2pm to 4pm.
Interestingly, four in 10 people think yawning is good for you, and 40 per cent said they feel more energised after a yawn.
However, yawning has also interrupted work meetings, job interviews, and even when listening to a friend tell a story.
Sleep expert, Dr Sophie Bostock, said: “Contrary to popular belief, yawning can be beneficial.
“It is associated with the release of dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin, which can have a stress-relieving effect.
“Yawning is often associated with stretching, and increased flow of oxygen and nutrients to the brain, which helps to wake us up.”
The study also found that 84 per cent of adults think yawning is contagious, with 71 per cent likely to do so if someone near them succumbs to one.
In some cases, this has interrupted serious conversations, sometimes causing laughter, or even leading to being called out by a friend or family member for being rude.
However, 45 per cent said they’re not intentionally being impolite, with 37 per cent claiming yawning should not cause you to be judged.
Lisa Richards, head of marketing at Bensons for Beds, said: “We can’t always help when we yawn and sometimes the timing is not quite ideal or appropriate.
“However, yawning is proven to have a myriad of benefits, so at Bensons, we want to celebrate the yawn and spread its contagious, feel-good benefits.”
The YawnHub page features five yawn-size videos, highlighting the five most popular yawning styles: the Cat Yawn, the Stretch Yawn, the Mouse Yawn, the Bear Yawn, and the Liberator Yawn.
The top 30 places where Brits have stifled a yawn include during a work meeting, while listening to a friend or relative tell a story, on public transport, while on a video call, and when dining out.