Whilst trying to focus hard on the material presented during class, one sometimes cannot help but yawn. A teacher may glare at the yawning student, thinking he or she is bored and not paying attention; however, research suggests that yawning indicates far more than boredom.

Aaron Wienkers, senior, thinks yawning just feels really good, but scientists have theories that extend beyond relaxation and enjoyment. For one, scientists believe yawning functions as merely a way of stretching and as a complement to stretching. When people yawn, they stretch their jaw by opening it wide and take a deep breath. Furthermore, when a person stretches, especially when first awaking, there is a tendency to yawn. Scientists thus believe that there is a correlation between stretching or extending muscles and yawning.

Aaron Wienkers affirms the scientific theory, saying, “I yawn all the time when I play tennis or run in the morning.”

Another theory for yawning is due to sleepiness. Gina Patterson, junior, agrees.  “I think I yawn about every half hour. I think it is because I am relaxed or tired,” she said.

Tiredness does influence whether or not a person yawns. In a study done by people who recorded their yawning and sleeping patterns, yawning occurred most often right after awakening and prior to going to sleep. Although tiredness may induce yawning, a person’s heart rate can rise by 30 percent during a yawn.

In addition to proposing theories as to why people yawn and the function of yawning, scientists have cited a false theory—the theory of yawning due to low oxygen levels. According to scientists, there are not enough facts to support the contention that yawning occurs due to large levels of carbon dioxide and a reduced flow of oxygen to the blood or brain. In one study, breathing in greater amounts of carbon dioxide did not increase yawning; however, the breathing rate did increase.

Lastly, the theory that yawning is contagious proves to be true. Wienkers acknowledged that “talking about yawning just made me yawn.”  As scientists have discovered, yawning is so contagious that even just thinking about yawning can cause a person to yawn. Seeing another person yawn also influences others to yawn. In fact, within five minutes witnessing another person yawn, fifty-five percent of the witnesses will also yawn.

Studies suggest that people yawn following a yawn of another person due to empathy. In a study using MRI imaging, researchers were able to see how the self-processing region, a region linked to empathy, increased in activity when a person witnessed a yawn.

The act of yawning has been present in humans since their days in the womb, and newborns frequently yawn. In addition, humans are not the only organisms to yawn. In fact, all mammals yawn as do other animals with backbones.

So, if you read this article and found yourself  yawning frequently, it was not necessarily--but possibly--due to boredom!

Editors Note: Some information was obtained from: http://www.americanscientist.org/IssueTOC/issue/781