Why Do We ‘Yawn’ When We’re Tired or Bored?

Yawning is like a big stretch for your brain. When you're tired, your brain gets sleepy and needs more oxygen, so it yawns to wake itself up. Sometimes, if someone else yawns near you, you might do it too because your brain likes to copy others!

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Examples

Your friend yawns during class, and you can't help but do the same.
You’re reading a boring book on the train and suddenly feel the need to yawn wide open.
After a long nap, you wake up with a big stretch, it's a yawn!

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Categories: Health · yawning,sleep,brain function,boredom,human behavior