Bensons for Beds has released a series of yawning videos designed to celebrate the act of yawning and help Brits relax and feel good this January, as sleep experts ponder why we yawn and reveal that yawning actually releases the ‘feel good’ hormone serotonin, as well as dopamine, which influences mood and sleep.
YawnHub, a dedicated online hub of contagious yawning content, was created following research which revealed the average adult yawns five times a day. The survey of 2,000 Brits found that nearly 37 per cent think yawning is good for you and 40 per cent feel more energised. Bensons want to spread the word and encourage more people to discover the power and benefits of the humble yawn.
According to the study the most awkward moments people have been caught yawning, include at a wedding, on a date and even when meeting a partner’s parents.
At a funeral, at the dentist and while giving a presentation also featured in the list.
With a dozy 13 per cent even admitting to having stifled one while a friend was tearfully sharing emotional news.
But why do we yawn? Do our yawns have meaning? Aside from the top two reasons for yawning – tiredness and ‘catching’ one from someone else – 32 per cent cite boredom as a big cause, while 20 per cent put it down to stress or anxiety.
Leading Sleep Expert, Dr Sophie Bostock said: “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 study also revealed 84 per cent of adults think yawning is contagious, with 71 per cent likely to do so if someone near them succumbs to one.
In some cases, this has interrupted a serious conversation, sometimes causing laughter, or even led to being called out by a friend or family member for being rude.
But 45 per cent said they’re not intentionally being impolite, with 37 per cent claiming yawning should not cause you to be judged.
It also emerged 35 per cent think there are different types of yawns.
To hide a yawn, 53 per cent use their hand to cover the mouth, while others close their mouth tightly (44 per cent) or breath deeply through the nose (25 per cent).
Six in 10 (61 per cent) reckon they’re good at hiding it, but 29 per cent admit their efforts are never successful – with those caught yawning left feeling embarrassed, awkward – and apologetic.
The top three ways people yawn are politely – with the mouth kept small so as not to disturb anyone (32 per cent), silently, but dramatically – with the mouth wide open (20 per cent), and a yawn that starts normally but then is embellished with sound effects (15 per cent).
Bensons’ new YawnHub page features five yawn-size videos hero-ing the five most popular yawning styles which include:
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.
Lisa Richards Head of Marketing at Bensons for Beds said: “We can’t always help when we yawn and sometimes the timing is not quite ideal or appropriate.
“However, yawning is proven to have a myriad of benefits, so at Bensons, we want to celebrate the yawn and help to spread its contagious, feel-good benefits.”
THE TOP 30 PLACES BRITS HAVE STIFLED A YAWN:
- During a work meeting
- While listening to a friend/relative tell a story
- On public transport
- While on a video call
- When dining out
- In church/a religious venue
- At a party
- On a night out e.g. at a bar
- While driving
- At a funeral
- At the cinema
- At a job interview
- During a wedding ceremony
- When someone is sharing emotional news / crying
- At the theatre
- On a date
- At a concert
- In a library
- While giving a presentation
- While reading my child a bedtime story
- During a medical consultation e.g. doctors
- Watching a sports game
- During sex
- When meeting a partner’s parents
- When taking a photo/selfie
- At the dentist
- At my child’s parents evening
- At an art gallery/museum
- At the gym / fitness class
- In a courtroom
The yawn-size series can be enjoyed exclusively at www.bensonsforbeds.co.uk/ yawnhub/