When it comes to yawning, two things are certain: Everyone yawns — and nobody really knows why.
We start yawning very early in life — even before we are born. Ultrasounds have shown that fetuses start yawning and hiccuping as early as 11 weeks into their development.
There are various theories about why we yawn. One theory suggests that we don’t breathe as deeply when we are bored or tired as we do when we are excited or exerting energy.
When our breathing slows down, our bodies receive less oxygen. This decrease in oxygen makes us feel tired and sluggish.
Yawning helps bring a burst of fresh oxygen into our blood while pushing out carbon dioxide. If this theory is correct, yawning is an involuntary reflex.
More recent research suggests that yawning may be a way for our bodies to distribute oily substances known as “surfactants” that lubricate the lungs and prevent them from collapsing as we exhale and inhale.
Regardless of which theory of yawning you believe, one thing is certain — yawning is contagious! If you have ever seen someone else yawn, it is likely that you have also yawned!
Scientists are still studying the phenomenon of “contagious yawning,” but they have not yet determined exactly what causes humans to yawn simply because they see someone else yawning. Interestingly, their research has shown that, like humans, chimpanzees will yawn when they see another chimpanzee yawn.
The next time you feel the urge to start a trend, just open your mouth and yawn. You may be surprised to find that the person next to you can’t resist joining in as well.
Give It a Try
Has all this talk of yawning made you feel sleepy? Wake up by trying out the following activities with a friend or family member:
The Ojibway, a Native American tribe, believes that hanging a dream catcher in their bedrooms will protect them from bad dreams. According to their legend, the center of the dream catcher only allows good dreams to enter the dreamer’s mind, while the surrounding web catches all the bad dreams. When the sun rises, the bad dreams trapped in the web disappear. If you want to make your own dream catcher, you can find detailed instructions on the Dream-Catchers.org website. Use your creativity to make your dream catcher and enjoy a peaceful sleep while it catches any bad dreams.
Have you ever wondered why people yawn? Do you agree with the theories discussed in today’s Wonder of the Day? Or do you have your own ideas? Can you come up with additional theories that could make sense? Think about the times when you tend to yawn and how you sometimes yawn when you see others yawning. Can you think of a theory that explains why these things happen? Have fun brainstorming ideas like a real scientist! Share your ideas with friends and family members. What do they think of your ideas?
Are you up for a challenge? Conduct your own yawning research. Without telling anyone what you’re doing, sit among friends and family members while they go about their daily activities. Make yourself yawn loudly a few times and observe the people around you. Do any of them “catch” your yawn? If so, how long does it take for others to start yawning? You can test their reactions multiple times by yawning at different moments. For fun, try the same experiment with your pets. Do dogs or cats yawn when they see you yawning?
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