• Question: hey guys does any one of you know what a yawn is?

    Asked by r3v3ng3r220851 to Ryan, Kath, James, Evan, Ailsa on 19 Jun 2011.
    • Photo: Evan Keane

      Evan Keane answered on 18 Jun 2011:

      A yawn is just a big breath. When you are tired you need to get more oxygen (if you want to stay awake and active) so one way is to take large breaths. Interestingly also, yawns are contagious! This is a reflex that has grown in humans to show you are paying attention to each other (it helps builds relationships!). If someone yawns it is hard not to yawn yourself if you see them. Try it with your friends 🙂

    • Photo: Ryan Ladd

      Ryan Ladd answered on 18 Jun 2011:

      I’ve heard that a yawn helps you stay awake partly because of the flexing of muscles. Next time you’re feeling sleepy and want to stay awake try to tense and relax the muscles in your legs, I find it works in the same way. I’ve used this trick in some of my more boring meetings!

    • Photo: Ailsa Powell

      Ailsa Powell answered on 19 Jun 2011:

      Evan and Ryan are right. When your brain is needing a burst of oxygen to help keep you awake and focused you yawn and then so does everyone else around you 🙂

Comments