Wierd question! yawning......

Ok, so I just got back from the gym, had a really good, hard workout!  What I noticed is when I was doing my stretching at the end I couldn't stop yawning!  This has randomly happened to me before.  Nothing serious, but I was curious as to what might cause this?!

Any ideas?

What I understand based on what I have learned in school, (biology, EMT, Surgical technology), yawning is caused by lack of oxygen intake.  When we aren't breathing deeply enough our brain sends a message that we need more O2 and tells us to yawn.  It's more like an involuntary deep breath.  So I guess just make sure you are breathing adequately while stretching.  I'm sure going from heavier breathing while doing cardio to much slower breathing while stretching has a lot to do with not getting enough O2.  I tend to yawn after workouts too.

-Stacey

Thanks Stacey!  I'll keep that in mind during future workouts!

yawning is also a side effect of some anti depressants. not sure if this is relevant for you, but I just thought i'd add that.

I find myself having to remind myself to "breath" at the gym.  I've noticed I hold my breath during reps and then I too am yawning.  I was hoping my husband didn't think I was bored of weight training.  That is interesting, I'll have to remember to keep breathing!

What I do, as told to me by a trainer at my gym during orientation, is whisper out loud your reps when you are counting.  That way you are exhaling when you lift and then take a breath in when you are returning to the start position.  helps you remember to breathe.  Now if you don't breathe deep enough you'll just have to remind yourself I suppose, LOL.

-Stacey

Original Post by blondie925:

Ok, so I just got back from the gym, had a really good, hard workout!  What I noticed is when I was doing my stretching at the end I couldn't stop yawning!  This has randomly happened to me before.  Nothing serious, but I was curious as to what might cause this?!

Any ideas?

Ahhh... maybe you were TIRED? ;)

 

 

I get very yawny in some classes, Yoga being a big one.  I usually find that I am not breathing as deeply as I should be.  Yawning occurs when you aren't getting enough oxegen.  That's why folks do it when they are sleepy.  When you are sleepy, the breathing slows down and becomes more shallow, so your body yawns to get some more oxegen in there.

Actually no ones quite sure why we yawn, I think the latest theory has to do more with brain temperature then anything ;) Probably just a mental thing more than anything.

Studies/tests have disproved the oxygen/carbon dioxide theories, back in like 1987 :)...

Also curious, why yawning is so contagious! I yawned twice while reading this thread and I am neither oxygen starved nor tired. Power of suggestion. :O