Why do we yawn ?

Yawning is considered a sign of tiredness and lack of sleep. There are numerous theories about the cause and meaning of the natural breathing reflex, but why do we really yawn and why is it so contagious? Find out here what lies behind the yawning myth and how yawning is really connected to our sleep.

Table of contents

1. The Phenomenon of Yawning
2. What happens when you yawn
3. Why do we yawn?
4. Why is yawning contagious?
5. What can I do about frequent yawning?
6. Conclusion

1. The phenomenon of yawning

Yawning is the involuntary and natural strong reflex of opening the mouth and taking a deep breath. Humans yawn for up to six seconds and, like most vertebrates, we humans yawn every day, about 250,000 times in our lives. Yawning occurs more frequently in the morning and evening hours and is therefore often associated with a lack of sleep or poor sleep. In fact, we yawn more often when we are tired, but also when we are concentrating hard, hungry or stressed.

2. What happens when you yawn?

Yawning is a natural reflex that we can only suppress or prevent to a limited extent - and there is probably a good reason for this. When we yawn, the muscles in the mouth and face area tense up and the rest of the body muscles, especially the chest and neck muscles, become firm. The diaphragm rises and falls and our heart rate and blood circulation increase briefly. Deep breathing and the brief widening of the airways supply the lungs with more air for a one-off period and thus also make more oxygen available.

3. Why do we yawn?

What exactly triggers the "yawn reflex" and what this behavior really serves has not yet been scientifically proven. Although this belief is widespread, frequent yawning does not seem to be a direct sign of poor or insufficient sleep. There are several different theories about the triggers and positive effects of yawning.

Theory: Yawning is the reaction to lack of oxygen and tiredness!

For a long time, it was assumed that yawning was a reaction to a lack of oxygen and served to increase the oxygen supply and reduce the carbon dioxide level in the blood. Because acute oxygen deficiency is often associated with severe tiredness, yawning was therefore understood to be a natural reaction to sleepiness with which our body wants to increase the oxygen supply and stay awake. But is that true? Unfortunately not! Studies now show that the oxygen supply has no influence on the frequency of yawning and is not an explicit trigger.

Theory: Yawning makes you awake and alert!

Many researchers assume that yawning actually serves to keep you awake or to increase your attention. Admittedly, we yawn particularly often in boring situations and when doing rather monotonous activities, and the stretching and elongation that comes with breathing activates the circulation. However, a study from Switzerland shows that the intensity of brain activity before and after yawning is almost the same.

Theory: Yawning cools the brain and thus increases concentration!

Current studies suggest that extensive yawning cools our brain and thus helps thermoregulate our brain temperature. This is because the brain is also constantly working and generating heat.After sleeping and when tired, the brain temperature is generally increased – It is precisely in these situations that we yawn particularly often. The short-term increase in heart rate during yawning allows more cool blood to reach the brain regions and the brain temperature to be lowered again. The result: the brain is protected from overheating, an optimal working temperature is maintained and concentration and mental performance are increased. These assumptions are supported by further studies and experiments and correspond to the current state of research.

4. Why is yawning contagious?

When one person yawns, everyone yawns. We all know the contagious effect of yawning. Neuroscience attributes this to the activation of so-called mirror neurons. These are special structures in our brain that are also related to sensitivity and empathy and cause us to "mirror" and imitate the behavior of others.

Did you know that for many people just reading about yawning or thinking about it is enough to make them yawn too?

5. What can I do about frequent yawning?

Based on the theory that yawning serves to thermoregulate our brain, it can help to breathe through the nose rather than the mouth - here the incoming air is already cleaned and "tempered".

Yawning itself is a harmless and safe reflex. However, suppressing it is medically unhealthy and should not become a regular occurrence. So don't take it to heart if the person you're talking to yawns more often during your conversation.

6. Conclusion

• Yawning is the involuntary and natural reflex of opening the mouth wide and breathing deeply.

• When you yawn, your muscles tense, your heart rate and blood circulation increase, and your lungs and brain are temporarily better supplied.

• The cause of yawning is not entirely known. Lack of oxygen or tiredness are no longer considered triggers, but the thermoregulation of the brain may be.

• Yawning is contagious but harmless and should not be suppressed.

Best regards and see you soon!