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The yawn. Scholarpedia say we do it five to fifteen times per day. Lately, here in New Zealand, it’s been a hot issue. Radio New Zealand have picked it up and people have been calling in with all manner of yawn theories. Why do we do it? Many ideas have been presented, and it seems to be common knowledge that while yawning is related to being tired, it’s not the only reason we yawn. I too, have had some interesting yawn experience that I’d like to share.

I’m a trained co-counselor and we’re taught to yawn when we want to ‘discharge’ stress or emotion. So I use it in my day to day life.  When I’m feeling overwhelmed or unable to think clearly due to varying levels of stress, I yawn. Not just once, but many times, and it really helps! After a few minutes of purposeful yawning, which also usually involves the release of tears, I feel much calmer, in fact, I feel soothed. Speaking of ‘tears’, you know that feeling you get after a good cry? You can also get there after a good yawn. Because it’s a physical release of tension.

Humans need to experience feelings of energetic release – whether it’s via good cry, or a good laugh, or a scream. Some achieve it via a loose, drunken experience, some through a good boogie. We all occasionally (or sometimes frequently) experience the feeling of holding tension within our bodies and the subsequent the desire to let it go. In our natural, relaxed, healthy states, we’re not tense beings, rather our bodies and our minds are relaxed. So yawning is one way to aid in release of tension, as a journey back to our natural state, as is intentional crying or laughing, or exercising, there are unlimited ways to let go of tension. The humble yawn just happens to be one of them. And that’s what I wanted to share – as my experience of ‘the yawn’.

Charlotte Squire
www.happyzine.co.nz

ps check out this facinating image of a baby in the womb yawning.

Tags: Blog, personal sustainability