Submitted by Prof. Rowr (with assistance from Brian Roulston)
Rowr! In this month’s North End Breezes let’s talk about yawning. Yawning is one of those everyday things we all do. You, me, mom and dad —but have you ever stopped to wonder why? Whether you’re waking up, feeling tired, or just finished eating that big Thanksgiving dinner. Yawning can sneak up on you—like when you’re sitting in class or digging in the garden. And sometimes, just seeing someone yawn, even a stranger, or reading about yawning can make you do it too! Almost all animals with backbones like dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish yawn. In fish and birds, it looks like they slowly open their mouths for a few seconds, then quickly snap them shut.
Let’s dive into the science of yawning—don’t worry, I’ll keep it short, simple, and fun! Here’s a cool fact to start with: the study of yawning is called chasmology. A yawn is a kind of reflex—something your body does automatically without you thinking about it. Here’s what happens: You open your mouth wide and take in a deep breath. Your face and neck muscles stretch. Then you breathe out quickly and your mouth closes. This whole process only takes about 6 seconds!
Why Do We Yawn? Scientists still don’t know exactly why we yawn, but here are some of the most popular theories:
Cooling the brain: Some researchers believe yawning helps cool down your brain when it gets too warm—like sitting under a shade tree on a hot summer day or playing hoops in the hot sun. Think of it like opening a window to let in fresh air.
Getting more oxygen: When you’re tired or bored, your breathing slows down. Yawning brings in a big gulp of air. Some scientists think we yawn to take in more oxygen or get rid of some CO₂ (carbon dioxide) from our brains, which might help wake us up a little; kind of like a mini shot of caffeine. However, studies have shown that giving people extra oxygen doesn’t stop yawning, so this idea may not be completely true.
Stretching and waking up: Yawning doesn’t just stretch your face and neck—it often comes with stretching your arms, shoulders, or back too. That full-body stretch might be your body’s way of waking itself up and getting ready to move.
Nervousness and Stress: When you’re nervous or stressed, like when taking an exam or driver’s test your body might start breathing too fast. This quick breathing, sometimes called an anxiety attack, can upset the balance between the oxygen and carbon dioxide in your body, making you feel lightheaded and/or short of breath—even though you’re getting too much air.
Yawning might seem like a good way to calm down, but it can make things worse. If you try to force a yawn, it might not feel satisfying, which can make you worry more about your breathing.
Contagious yawning: Have you ever noticed how you yawn when someone else does? Or how even talking about yawning makes you want to do it? That’s called contagious yawning, and it’s surprisingly common.
Even cats can’t resist a good yawn! Image generated with AI
Here’s why it happens.
Rowr! We have Copycat brains: Our brains are wired to copy others. It’s part of how we connect with people. So, when you see or even hear mom or dad yawn, your brain says, “Hey, me too!”
Empathy and connection: People who are especially tuned in to others—whether through active listening or emotional understanding—are more likely to “catch” a yawn. It’s a subtle sign of empathy and a reflection of the social bonds we share.
Just reading this article might make you yawn. Did it work?
Yawning might seem simple, but it’s a fascinating mix of biology, brain science, and human connection. Whether it’s cooling your brain or showing empathy, that big open-mouth stretch is doing more than you think.
Rowr! Try watching your family while they read this—see who yawns first!
