Research led by Andrew C. Gallup, associate professor of psychology at SUNY Polytechnic Institute, suggests that yawning has a brain-cooling function.
“Brain temperature rises during times of stress and anxiety,” Gallup said. “And yawning naturally occurs before and during stressful situations, promoting relaxation and better cognitive functioning. It has nothing to do with boredom.”
Although there is no experimental evidence that cooling the brain by inducing yawning — for example, watching videos of people yawning—results in stress reduction, Gallup believes the effect is likely. For now, yawn away. Perhaps you’ll trigger yawns in others and reduce stress.
When you start to yawn, powerful jaw stretching increases blood flow in the neck, face, and head. The deep intake of breath during a yawn forces the downward flow of spinal fluid and blood from the brain. A good bore loosens and tones the big jaw muscles, allowing the neck and throat muscles to relax.
Yawning also massages vital points in the face and the lymphatic system. And yawning naturally occurs before and during stressful situations, promoting relaxation and better cognitive functioning.
Lip quills and tongue quills
After yawning ten times, try these tongue twisters.
- To sit in solemn silence on a dull, dark, dock in a pestilential prison with a life-long lock. Awaiting the sensation of a short, sharp, shock from a cheap and chippy chopper on a big, black block.
- In tooting two tutors astute tried to toot a duke on the flute but duets so gruelling and only in duelling when tutors astute toot the flute.
- She stood on the balcony inexplicably mimicking him hiccupping and amicably welcoming him home.
- Five flippant Frenchmen fly from France for Fashions. Five flippant Frenchmen fly from France for fashions.
- Vincent vowed vengeance very vehemently. Vincent vowed vengeance very vehemently.
- This thin, that thatch, these themes, those thorns, the thug they thank. This thin, that thatch, these themes, those thorns, the thug they thank.
Now, you are ready for your next speech.
If you want to learn more about speech writing or have an upcoming presentation, send me an email at richard@richardtardif.com
About Richard Tardif: An award-winning journalist, a bestselling author and editor, a proven writing and speaking coach, and a member of Pointe-Claire Toastmasters and Dorval City Toastmasters. He has a tangible and sympathetic heart to share with readers, wordsmiths, and other professional communicators.
