It’s official, yawning is actually good for you. But why do we yawn? According to sleep experts, it releases the ‘feel good’ hormone serotonin, as well as dopamine, which helps influence mood and sleep.
Nearly four in 10 (37 per cent) think yawning is good for you and 40 per cent feel more energised. The study of 2,000 adults commissioned by Bensons for Beds revealed that the average adult yawns five times a day – with between 8pm and 10pm the most popular time. Although this was closely followed by the afternoon period of 2pm to 4pm.
Leading sleep expert Dr Sophie Bostock who has a PhD in Health Psychology and the person behind the Sleep Scientist which aims to help more people to sleep well, and thrive explains. “Contrary to popular belief, yawning can be beneficial – it is associated with the release of dopamine, serotonin and oxytocin, which can have a stress-relieving effect.
“There are several theories about why we yawn, but there’s no one definitive answer. Yawning is often associated with stretching, and increased flow of oxygen and nutrients to the brain, which helps to wake us up. Yawning can also increase before and during stressful situations and may have a role in promoting relaxation.
“We also tend to yawn more in hot weather, which might indicate that it has a role in controlling temperature. Research shows that, in humans and animals, yawning is also contagious.”
The five most contagious yawning styles the study found included;
The Cat Yawn
Take a deep breath, open your mouth wide and yaaaaawn in total silence.
The Stretch Yawn
Take a deep breath in, stretch your neck out, tilt your head back and unwind as you watch this expressive yawn stretch throughout your entire body. Breath out and sigh.
The Mouse Yawn
Imagine your internal yawn slowly and quietly being released, as you keep your mouth squeezed as small as possible so as not to disturb anyone, perhaps just letting out a little squeak as the name suggests!
The Bear Yawn
Release your inner bear as your yawn becomes more embellished with extra sound effects like an ‘aaaaah’.
The Liberator Yawn
Feel this enthusiastic yawn take over your whole body, as it relaxes and rejuvenates you. To celebrate the positive feel and good benefits of yawning Bensons for Beds has launched YawnHub – a dedicated online hub of contagious yawning content to help get Brits yawning, feeling good and spreading the positivity of the yawn this January.
The brand is also running a national competition inviting Brits to embrace their inner yawn and compete for the title of Most Contagious Yawn, with the winner receiving a £2,000 of bedroom products.
The competition is being run exclusively on Instagram. To help determine the most impressive and contagious yawns, the Bensons team will draw on their in-house experts to judge the entries – all based on how unique and ‘catchy’ the yawn is.
To be in with a chance of winning, interested applicants must share a video of their best yawn on Instagram using the #BensonsYawnHub and tag @bensondfordbeds into the post before 31st January.
The best entry will be picked and announced by 4th February, with one lucky shopper winning £2,000 worth of Bensons products. What’s more, the ten best entries will be featured on the ‘YawnHub’ content page on the Bensons website.
With sleep being top of many people’s New Year Resolutions list, Bensons has you covered with a huge range of sale items still available both in store and online.