Ever get in trouble for yawning when being spoken to? Or perhaps you’re on the other side of the fence, offended when people yawn when you’re talking to them. Yawning isn’t just a sign of being bored, though. Here’s what you need to know about body language yawning.
Body Language Yawning: Why We Yawn
- When we are tired. Of course, this is the one reason for yawning that everyone focuses on. It is not however, the only reason why we yawn
- When we are too hot. this means you should be less offended when you are talking to someone in a warm room and they yawn. They’re probably not bored of you. They’re just hot!
- In reaction to someone else yawning. Yawning is contagious. Test this by intentionally yawning. Other people around you will yawn too.
- When we think of yawning (you will probably yawn while reading this page simply because I’m talking about yawning). We may also yawn if we think about things associated with yawning. For instance, if you’re talking to someone and telling them how tired you felt after your long day yesterday, do not be surprised if they yawn.
- Periodically to refill our lungs. You have to be aware that sometimes yawning might just be physiological. This is yet another reason why you shouldn’t be offended when someone yawns when you’re talking as they might just b naturally yawning to get air in their lungs.
Given that we can’t be completely certain why a person is yawning, it seems absurd to be offended by it. That is, unless the person goes out of there way to make clear to you that they are yawning.
By the way, did you know that horses, cats and dogs can catch your yawn too?