Why is it that we yawn when we're tired?

Question

Is there some kind of physical or mental connection between being tired and yawning?

Answer 1

http://kidshealth.org/kid/talk/qa/yawn.html

Everybody yawns — from unborn babies to the oldest great-grandparent. Animals do it, too. But why, exactly, do people and animals yawn? No one knows for sure. But there are many theories (ideas) about why people yawn.

One is that when we are bored or tired, we just don't breathe as deeply as we usually do. As this theory goes, our bodies take in less oxygen because our breathing has slowed. Therefore, yawning helps us bring more oxygen into the blood and move more carbon dioxide out of the blood.

Yawning, then, would be an involuntary reflex (something we can't really control) to help us control our oxygen and carbon dioxide levels. Sounds good, but other studies have shown that breathing more oxygen does not decrease yawning. Likewise, breathing more carbon dioxide does not increase yawning. Hmmm. Now what?

Another theory is that yawning stretches the lungs and lung tissue. Stretching and yawning may be a way to flex muscles and joints, increase heart rate, and feel more awake.

Other people believe that yawning is a protective reflex to redistribute the oil-like substance called surfactant (say: sur-fak-tunt) that helps keep lungs lubricated inside and keeps them from collapsing. So, if we didn't yawn, according to this theory, taking a deep breath would become harder and harder — and that would not be good!

But there is one idea about yawning that everyone knows to be true. It seems contagious. If you yawn in class, you'll probably notice a few other people will start yawning, too. Even thinking about yawning can get you yawning. How many times have you yawned while reading this article? We hope not many!

Answer 2

Ive certainly not heard such garbage as one of the crucial solutions above (Well a few of them) so here's my reply. There are three theorys to why we yawn right here they're:- The Physiological Theory -- Our our bodies result in yawning to drawn in additional oxygen or do away with a construct-up of carbon dioxide. This idea is helping give an explanation for why we yawn in agencies. Larger agencies produce extra carbon dioxide, which means that our our bodies might act to attract in additional oxygen and do away with the surplus carbon dioxide. However, if our our bodies make us yawn to drawn in wanted oxygen, would not we yawn for the period of endeavor? Robert Provine, a psychologist on the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, and a main informed on yawning, has verified this idea. Giving folks extra oxygen did not diminish yawning and lowering the quantity of carbon dioxide in a discipline's atmosphere additionally did not hinder yawning. The Evolution Theory -- Some suppose that yawning is some thing that started with our ancestors, who used yawning to exhibit their enamel and intimidate others. An offshoot of this idea is the inspiration that yawning constructed from early guy as a sign for us to difference movements. The Boredom Theory -- In the dictionary, yawning is alleged to be precipitated by way of boredom, fatigue or drowsiness. Although we do generally tend to yawn whilst bored or worn out, this idea does not give an explanation for why Olympic athletes yawn correct earlier than they compete of their occasion. It's dubious that they're uninterested in the sector looking them. The practical reality is that despite the fact that folks had been yawning for probably so long as they've existed, we don't have any clue as to why we do it. Maybe it serves a few healthy intent. It does reason us to attract in additional air and our hearts to race quicker than usual, however so does endeavor. There's nonetheless so much we do not have an understanding of approximately our possess brains, so perhaps yawning is precipitated by way of a few discipline of the mind we have now but to detect. We do understand that yawning isn't restrained to guy. Cats, puppies, even fish yawn, which leads us again to the inspiration that yawning is a few kind of communique. I generally tend to think The Physiological Theory You might discover my supply an intresting learn, It additionally has a couple of different hyperlinks you can be intrested in having a seem at.

Answer 3

Our brain is calling for more oxygen...thus the big yawn..a little exercise will get the oxygen moving or just go to sleep

Answer 4

yawning is the response of the nervous call from the brain as it needs more oxygen that's why it's related to tiring or feeling sleepy...

Answer 5

when we are tired our brain needs more oxygen, that's why we yawn!

Answer 6

physical : the brain lacks of oxygen and the body takes a big breath.

Answer 7

It would be pretty stupid yawning when you're not tired.