The Surprising Benefits of Yawning

1. One of The Best-Kept Secrets in Neuroscience

“In my professional opinion, yawning is one of the best-kept secrets in neuroscience. Even my colleagues who are researching meditation, relaxation, and stress reduction at other universities have overlooked this powerful neural-enhancing tool.”

- Andrew Newberg, MD and Mark Waldman, How God Changes Your Brain (and all below quotes)

When a neuroscientist says yawning is one of the best-kept secrets in the field, I tend to sit up and pay attention 😊. Let’s look at some of the benefits next.

2. How Yawning Impacts the Brain

“Several recent brain-scan studies have shown that yawning evokes a unique neural activity in the areas of the brain that are directly involved in generating social awareness and creating feelings of empathy. One of those areas is the precuneus, a tiny structure hidden within the folds of the parietal lobe. According to researchers at the Institute of Neurology in London, the precuneus appears to play a central role in consciousness, self-reflection, and memory retrieval…it's possible that deliberate yawning may actually strengthen this important part of the brain.”

3. Yawning Also Cools Your Overactive Brain

“So what is the underlying mechanism that makes yawning such an essential tool? Besides activating the precuneus, it regulates the temperature and metabolism of your brain…Yawning probably evolved as a way to cool down the overly active mammalian brain, especially in the areas of the frontal lobe.”

The most scientifically robust reason for yawning is to cool our brains…pretty neat.

4. Yawning May Help Rid the Brain of Sleepiness

“But yawning doesn't just relax you—it quickly brings you into a heightened state of cognitive awareness. Students yawn in class, not because the teacher is boring…but because it rids the brain of sleepiness, thus helping you stay focused on important concepts and ideas. It regulates consciousness and our sense of self, and helps us become more introspective and self-aware.”

The take-home from these: The next time you feel a yawn coming on, don’t fight or suppress it—let it happen (and enjoy it) wholeheartedly.

"Yawning will relax you and bring you into a state of alertness faster than any other meditation technique I know of."

— — Andrew Newberg, MD, and Mark Waldman

How God Changes Your Brain by Andrew Newberg, MD, and Mark Waldman

Don't let the title (or New Age-y cover) distract you. This book is actually more like “The Neuroscience of Meditation and Breathing.” A good portion of it focuses on contemplative practices and breathing exercises. It’s a fun and interesting read.

In good breath,

Nick Heath, T1D, PhD
“Breathing is the compound interest of health & wellness.”

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