Yawning begins in early life, with fetuses as young as one week old yawning. Yawning is a natural behavior in humans and is not unique to humans. From higher mammals to lower reptiles, all animals yawn. Sometimes, there are situations where one cannot yawn, which can be very uncomfortable. So, why can't we yawn and what can we do about it?
The Benefits of Yawning
Yawning, this instinctive behavior in humans, accompanies us throughout our lives. When we feel tired, we yawn to tell our body that it needs rest. Yawning in the morning helps awaken our brain and start our day with energy. Yawning also helps relax our muscles and nerves, providing a good rest in just 6 seconds.
Why Can't We Yawn?
The inability to yawn is caused by mental distraction and lack of focus. Many subconscious actions that the brain wants to achieve are not achieved, making it difficult to breathe properly and potentially leading to various diseases, such as stroke and oxygen deprivation. To alleviate this, it is recommended to engage in regular exercise, eliminate negativity and laziness from the mind.
Why Do We Yawn Continuously?
Sometimes, we encounter situations where we yawn continuously. There are two possible reasons for this. First, it may be due to the brain being oxygen deprived or fatigued, and yawning serves as a reminder that it's time to rest and sleep. It may also be due to the upcoming intense work, and continuous yawning helps the body take in more oxygen through deep inhalation, enhancing brain activity.
Watch Out for Frequent Yawning in Middle-aged and Elderly Individuals
For normal individuals, yawning a few times in a row can increase oxygen intake and temporarily relieve fatigue. However, frequent yawning in middle-aged and elderly individuals, especially those with high blood pressure and cerebral arteriosclerosis, may be a warning sign of ischemic stroke. Approximately 70% to 80% of patients with ischemic stroke caused by iron deficiency experience frequent yawning due to cerebral ischemia in the week leading up to the stroke. Therefore, caution should be exercised.
Tips
Although yawning has certain benefits for the body, the reasons behind yawning are often due to lack of sleep, insomnia, high mental stress, and irregular daily routines. Therefore, it is important to manage our lives and work reasonably, avoid irregular sleep patterns, and ensure a good mental state for the next day.
