Yawning. A process where we all stretch our mouths like hippos, look all funny and weird while doing it and still insist on doing it anyways! Science has yet to pin point, exactly why that is the case.
There are many theories that try to explain it though. One theory suggests that it might be to increase the oxygen level in our body and decrease the carbon-dioxide levels when we are running low on oxygen.
Other theory suggests, it might be one of the ways in which the body controls the brain temperature. Apparently, our brains function optimally within a range of temperature and yawning might just be a way for the brain to cool down.
Yet another theory suggests that it is also triggered due to sleepiness and boredom due to the various chemical changes in the brain. Maybe it’s a combination of all these or maybe there’s an entirely different reason.
Contagious Yawning
If you thought yawning was mysterious, try contagious yawning. Have you ever seen other people around you yawn and started yawning too as a result?
It doesn’t even have to be a live person doing it next to you. You could just see an image on the internet or even read about yawning, or even hear about it and you will start too!
If you ask me that’s kind of freaky and voodoo like! I mean a person or even a bunch of pixels on your computer screen have the power to make you go ahhhh?
Various studies have showed that contagious yawning does indeed exist but we knew that already, didn’t we? So, what does science have to say about this weird, almost telepathic like phenomenon?
Why Does It Happen?
Image taken as a screenshot of Asapscience's video on YouTube.
Since we are social animals, it has been suggested that it might be an evolutionarily hardwired function for us to yawn in response to others yawning in the group, for social bonding.
This behaviour is stronger in people who are socially or genetically close to you. Studies have shown that even dogs yawn in response to the yawns of their owners.
There is also a long standing belief that contagious yawning might be because of our empathy. Researchers state that children develop this kind of yawning at the age of around 4, around the same time they develop empathy and the ability to identify emotions, concluding that there might be a link between the two.
However, this belief is refuted by many scientists by stating that contagious yawning affects younger people much more than older people. As you grow older, somehow, you are less likely to catch a yawn.
A Confession To Make
Writing this post was a brave thing to do, as you can only imagine how many times I yawned, having to type this word again and again and looking for photos of people doing the same. I didn’t count but it must have been around 50 times!
Inspite of that, I wanted to write this post because I wanted to conduct a little study of my own. I know this is not a scientific way at all but despite that I think we can learn some things about who was affected and who was not.
I wanted to see how many of you yawned just by looking at the thumbnail or the title and how many times you yawned reading this whole article. Do tell in the comments section down below.
Heard it only works when there's sympathy :)
It also works without it.
Informative post keep sharing :)
Thanks :)
Personally, I find yawning rather annoying than contagious.
Mee too!!
Good to know I'm not the only one :P
Good read, Yes I have also heard the lack of oxygen to the brain caused yawning. Interesting other explanations. And yes I did yawn several times while reading this. Could this be a mind suggestion technique. LOL or yawn. Thanks for sharing - Troy
Yeah, lack of oxygen is something I was taught in school too. haha, many people are telling me that they yawned reading this lol
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I even tell my bosses at work to cut it out. I have to fight it b/c it is contagious and makes it hard to focus. It is a slippery slope as well.
Yeah, the office space is already quite boring. Seeing someone yawn is a sure way to make yourself sleep, right there on the work station!
Who else yawned while reading this? I did it twice xD. "Yet another theory suggests that it is also triggered due to sleepiness and boredom due to the various chemical changes in the brain."... I agree with that theory, to me it makes the most sense. Cuz that's usually when I yawn, except when I see someone else yawned, or talk about it lol.
Only twice? Good for you :D yeah, the chemical changes pertaining to mood might be the actual reason after all.
I once read about the part about increasing oxygenlevels. So when I yawn and someone comments, I respond with the fact that I try to be even more mindfull for this conversation :) I don't know if it helps, but people usually laugh.
Nice article! And of course I yawned...
haha that's a nice comeback, if you ask me! LOL
True post. HAHAHAHAHA...I also used to wonder why if one person yawns, the whole group will follow suit as if we are connected somewhere with it as a password
Haha yeah!! The social change connection sure plays a role!
Loool. That's really funny
Hahaha i literally yawned when i just saw the photo before even opening the post. Hehehe 😂👌
Lol I knew it would have that effect on people ;)
Interesting, I've always wondered why it's contagious. Check out my posts if you like, I'm new to Steemit :)
Thanks for reading:)
Alright you made me yawn (in a good way lol)
Lol mission accomplished!! :D
I yawned three times and want to yawn RIGHT NOW! Lol
Lol this was a fun little experiment for sure! :D
Oh no!! Reading this blog was brave of me too... as many times are you wrote about "yawning" I had to read! LOL
Although the picture did not make me yawn... I'm ready for a nap right about now. :)
Lol! I hope you yawned at every word ;) :P
Lol 😆 maybe?
the lack of oxygen .thanks for nice information
Thanks for reading :)
thanks for sharing my brother .wish the best for you and your family
Awesome post even though I didn't yawn by reading it. Oh wait, I just did it now when i was writing the coment! Hahah that's interesting..
Lol. Just when you thought you won!! :P