The power of the yawn
You never knew how the power of the yawn could supercharge you. It can help you lead a more mindful existence. Such a little act can help you in so many ways.
Sometimes before an Olympic performance, you can see athletes yawning. A dog often stretches and yawns before his owners take him outside. Fish yawn before they change activities.
They all know something you may not know: the yawn has the power to increase your focus, attention and mental clarity.
What’s in a yawn?
Humans around the world have yawned since the dawn of their evolution. This activity spans millions of years and reaches across hundreds of species.
It’s a five-second act. You open your mouth and stretch it to its widest capacity while taking a deep breath.
A number of things happen in that five seconds.
The brain releases a flurry of neural activities
The little act of yawning causes a number of processes to happen in the brain. Until recently, scientists did not know just how beneficial yawning really is.
The precuneus
The precuneus is a small structure that resides in the parietal lobe. It is responsible for self-awareness, it’s involved in actual consciousness, processing of information, enhances memory, and even compassion. The act of yawning stimulates this apparatus.
The things the precuneus does are things you might associate with meditation. Who’d a thunk?
The mirror neuron system
This is what’s behind “contagious” behavior. If you see someone yawning, particularly if you know the person, you’re likely to yawn, too.
Just reading or talking about yawning can cause a person to yawn, as well.
Because yawning is contagious, scientists surmise that it’s related to social behavior, as well as emotional attachment. You might actually have increased feelings of empathy from yawning!
Stress reduction
This one is a biggie. You can help yourself to relax by taking slow, deep breaths. That’s why any good meditation will start with deep breathing.
A yawn is, effectively, a big, deep breath. You take in a lot more oxygen and squeeze the little blood vessels going to the brain to give it more nutrients. The brain, in turn, knows it’s a good time to relax.
The brain releases beneficial neurotransmitters
Dopamine
Dopamine can help increase focus, pleasure relating to a pleasant surprise, and motivation. Dopamine also stimulates oxytocin production.
Opioid peptides
Opioid peptides have to do with pain relief, euphoria, and can reduce pain.
Oxytocin
Yawning also releases oxytocin, a neurochemical responsible for helping people to bond with each other (i.e. emotional attachment), regulate temperature, and help reduce anxiety.
Serotonin
Serotonin can contribute to well-being and happiness, and affects mood. This is what doctors often prescribe to patients who have symptoms of depression.
[bctt tweet=”Help yourself become more aware, focused and alert. Practice yawning!” username=”n2itvnspiritual”]
Other things that happen with a yawn
The activities that happen in the brain from a simple yawn don’t stop there.
Thermoregulation
The yawn is likely to be an evolutionary trick for the brain to cool itself. When temperatures rise, you’re more likely to experience yawning. This is the brain’s way of getting fresh (and cooler) oxygen and blood.
Another way yawning benefits the brain is by compensating for higher levels of carbon dioxide in the air. When you’re in a crowded room, more people consume available oxygen and breathe out carbon dioxide. The brain will compensate by instigating a yawn to increase vital oxygen intake.
Greater mental focus
Given the neurotransmitters at play, higher levels of blood and oxygen, as well as the activation of certain brain structures, it’s no wonder you’ll experience greater alertness and mental focus.
When you’re concentrating hard on a project, you’ve probably noticed that you tend to yawn more frequently. There’s a lot of energy required to fuel your brain.
A soft re-boot
Given all the beneficial processes that happen as a result of yawning, it’s a great way to do a “soft re-boot.” If sleep is a “hard re-boot,” yawning gently resets the brain to create more alertness and attention.
You’ll feel more tears on the surface of your eyes, you’ll think more clearly, and you’ll be more attuned to those around you. In effect, you’ll help the brain to perform optimally through yawning!
Conscious yawning
It’s a good idea to get yourself to yawn during the day as often as you can. The book, How God Changes Your Brain suggests that you “fake yawn” until you can bring on a real yawn.
It might take five or six times, but by invoking the power of the yawn, you unleash a barrage of good-for-you brain processes.
Because a yawn can help stave off anxiety, improve mood, and help you to relax, it is great for whenever you experience stressful events, or if you’re feeling some anxiety.
Got a speaking engagement? Yawn before going on stage. Got a test you’re taking? Yawn before you begin. Got a big project you’re working on? Yawn periodically while you’re working.
There is a lot of power packed into five seconds, and you’ll probably never look at a yawn the same again.
Admit it: you probably yawned while reading this.
Totally yawned while reading this! But still didn’t realize all the benefits in yawning. Seriously, learned so much here that I didn’t really know about yawning. So thank you for that 🙂 That said wishing you a wonderful stressfree week ahead now, my friend. Hugs!! xoxo <3
Sweet Janine, haha, I knew people would tell me they yawned. HAHA! There are so many benefits! I try to remember to yawn throughout the day to help with my focus and concentration. Thank you, always, for your sweet comments and wonderful thoughts. Sending you hugs🤗🤗🤗
Very fun. Who knew the power of a simple yawn. And yes, I yawned and I’m proud of it! Thanks for sharing this fun info Cynthia. 🙂
Brad – hehe, the power of a yawn, indeed! I’m giggling at everyone who is saying they’ve been yawning. It’s making me yawn while I respond to all the comments here. Hehe. Thank you for your thoughts and insights, too!
Hi Cynthia,
I really enjoyed your article.Who would think yawning could cause so many positive effects.Have a great day🙏
Ronald😊🍀💕
Ronald – so glad to have met over at Insight Timer and now here, too! Thank you for coming by to comment and I’m wishing you a wonderful weekend. Have a great day, too❣️😁
Seriously, Lil Sis, I had no idea. I am now in love with the yawn!!!! lol Who would have thunk it, right? Maggie, our dog, loves to yawn and stretch. She’s so good at it. All this time I just thought she was constantly tired. Turns out she is smarter than me. 🙂
Great information, Lil Sis! I go to the doctor today for my annual check-up, or wellness visit as they like to call it. Let’s hope I have nothing new to report.
Hugs coming atcha from foggy Olympia
Big Bro – hehe, YAWN! YAWN! I’m making myself yawn just typing all this out. HAHA. The yawn is so good. Maggie gets it. She’s focused and ready for the next thing. She knows the wisdom of the yawn. giggle
Glad to hear the check up went well. May you live many more decades and grace us all with your wisdom. The world needs it. Hugs coming from Cackalack. 🤗🤗
Very cool.
Thats why ‘Intuitive and Spiritual’ will grow and spread in the ‘sphere, good and practical information about the most interesting, (and surely, under-appreciated), elements of daily life.
Yawning (yawning’s new and totally unofficial motto: “Now wait a minute!”)
lol
Fun and interesting post, yo
Clark! Hehe… YAWNS will GROW and SPREAD! Haha. Like peanut butter and jelly spreads! Hehe…I don’t know what I mean by that, but I thought it sounded funny. The yawn is definitely underappreciated. And you know, I’ve yawned about 20 times in the last few minutes writing out these comments about yawning. I’m definitely feeling more alert. Haha. Thanks for your insights. ☺️☺️
Just reading this made me yawn. Every time I think of the word yawn, I yawn again. Funny how the mind works. I’m still sitting in my bed reading this so I’m not quite up and moving yet. I love all this information on something you just can’t stop doing no matter how hard you try. Thanks for all of it.
Marlene – hehe. It’s funny how that mirror neuron system kicks in and we “mirror” just by reading…and the power of suggestion. I’ve yawned over here a bunch in the last few minutes just reading. Hehe. And I love yawning, too. I love how it’s so good for you. 🙂 I hope you had a wonderful week and wishing you a wonderful weekend ahead. 😁😁
Wow Cynthia, I was giggling and yawing as I read, in fact I am still yawning and as I was yawning my husband started yawning .. I never knew so much went on in those five seconds..
I will finish off my friend with a giant Yawn… But know your post was from from putting me to sleep…
Love your Intuitive and spiritual mind.. 😀 <3
Hehe, sweet Sue! I predict that your brain was REALLY alert and in a great mental state what with the yawning and giggling. 😁😂 I didn’t know this either until I came across the book I mentioned above, but also just doing more research about it. In fact, I found it so interesting, I gave a talk about it at my recent Toastmasters meeting. People keep asking me about it now. Hehe. I hope you’ve had a wonderful week and wishing you a peaceful weekend, dear friend! 💜💛💜💛
I am smiling wide Cynthia, why??? because you are standing up in front of people giving talks… And you are blooming… <3 🙂
Sweet Sue, YOU make me smile. I am trying to push myself out of my comfort zone in order to grow. I’ve joined Toastmasters where I am making myself gives speeches regularly. I hope it’s good practice for what’s to come. Ha ha. Sending hugs!
I am yawning because of the “suggestive” content and the hour, dear Cynthia.
Excellent, informative post – a perfect time to say “night night” and sweet dreams.
Love and yawns, Maria
Mar – hehe, and did you sleep well!? Oooh! You gave me an idea. Though yawning can help increase alertness and focus, I imagine it can also help prepare oneself for sleep because it also relaxes you. I’m going to have to try yawning 10 times before bed (when I remember to!) and see how I sleep. It will be a fun little experiment. You gave me the idea! Hehe. Thank you! Sending you hugs and Happy Friday❤️😘❤️😘
My pleasure – “yawn”- … 🙂
@Brad – hehe.
Great article!
Thank you, Lalainia. Good to see you here! 😉 Have a wonderful weekend.
This is awesome! Thank you for your insight <3
Thank you. Enjoy! And if you would like, sign up to the blog and you can get some free meditations. 🙂