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Why do we yawn?

None of the scientists who have studied yawning can give a definitive answer (though one wonders why the taxpayer’s money is wasted on something so trivial), but they have pinpointed a couple of reasons which may explain this phenomena. The first one is mental or physical fatigue, when we seem to desire a break in routine. And secondly, we seem to yawn when our brain requires more oxygen than it’s getting at that precise moment.

When one considers though, that animals and foetuses as young as 11-12 weeks yawn, the accuracy of these reasons may come into question.

Is yawning contagious?

Of course it is. Though again, the learned professionals who studied “the yawn” cannot say why, it is believed that because we are sociable beings, we’re able to “catch” a yawn from someone else, but only if we can see them doing it.

But is this true?

Let’s work this out ourselves. Without looking at anyone who’s yawning, say “yawn.” Now think of how it’s spelt Y-A-W-N, spell it out and say a nice big “yawn” again.

Try this as a practical joke on someone and see them try desperately not to yawn. Now we know that one does not necessarily have to see someone yawn to want to do that themselves. It can be merely the thought of a yawn that makes us yawn (as is happening to you at the moment).

Is a yawn similar to a stretch?

None of the well-paid research scientists could say with any precision. But again if we try our little experiment once more, we’ll see that saying the word “stretch” out loud then thinking about how it’s spelt S-T-R-E-T-C-H, will make us feel one coming on. Try this on someone, stand before them and have a nice, big stretch and see them struggle not to do so themselves.

Is a yawn different in foreign languages?

No. When a Japanese person yawns he/she says “yawn.” So does an Argentinian, a Tongan, an Irish, and an American. Surprisingly I’ve even heard a dog “say” something like “yawn” (more like “yawr”) while yawning.

And what’s the point of all this?

Actually, this was my practical joke on you. I made you yawn.

So you were unaffected!

By-the-way, the self-same scientists have found out that people with schizophrenia are less likely to show contagious yawning. So if you didn’t yawn while reading this article, well… you decide.