Beneficial information: - The reason why yawning can be contagious and who spreads it the most.
We close our eyes, stretch our mouths wide, and yawn happily. And when somebody else does it, we usually follow suit: "Most people find yawning contagious. Within the first five minutes after someone else yawns, they've got to yawn too. Exceptions are children under four years old and individuals with developmental disorders," shares Utta Petzold, a physician at the Barmer health insurance firm. Scientists are still perplexed as to why this occurs.
The most plausible reason behind the contagious nature of yawning appears to be empathy. A study by Steven Platek suggests people who yawn a lot tend to be those who can better relate to others. This idea is also supported by a study conducted by Italian scientists in 2011: Over a year, they observed 109 adults from Asia, North America, Europe, and Africa in their natural surroundings.
Yawns are mostly spread among those close to us
Their findings: We're more likely to catch yawning from close relatives than strangers. The researchers established this order: Participants were most likely to yawn when their family members yawned, with friends, acquaintances, and strangers following suit. The situation, nationality, or gender played a lesser role than the emotional connection, according to the scientists.
We unconsciously encourage imitation. "When a family member yawns, you're more likely to yawn than when a stranger does – this is due to the empathic connection our brain creates, causing us to feel more connected to the yawning person and unconsciously want to mimic their actions," explained Reyan Saghir from King's College London.
But why we yawn at all is still a puzzler. The widely accepted notion that yawning is a reaction to insufficient oxygen in the blood has been debunked. Another theory being discussed in scientific circles: Yawning might regulate the temperature of the brain. "When the facial muscles relax, the heat can be diverted through the facial veins. The cooler air that flows in helps to cool the brain temperature," explained Reyan Saghir.
Intriguing, right? So, those yawns we catch from our loved ones might not just be a simple reflex, but an instinctual way to connect with and understand one another better!
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Children often imitate yawning behavior as a sign of empathy and attachment. This action strengthens their emotional connection with the person who is yawning.
Furthermore, children with stronger empathy skills tend to yawn more frequently, reflecting their ability to understand and relate to others' emotions.
