Why Yawning Is More Important Than You Think

Yawning isn’t just about boredom or tiredness - it’s one of your body’s built-in ways to reset, relax, and regulate your nervous system. In a world that glorifies control and suppression, letting yourself yawn might be one of the most natural (and surprising) ways to support calm and clarity. Here’s why you should stop holding it back - and start embracing it.

Written by: Nynke van Aalst

Waarom gapen belangrijker is dan je denkt

Yawning is one of those things we all do, yet rarely think about. It sneaks up in the middle of meetings, stretches across quiet afternoons, and shows up in yoga class when no one’s even tired. For years, I thought yawning was simply the body’s way of saying “I need sleep”.

But the more I learned, the more I realised: yawning is a signal—and a tool. One we should pay attention to.

The Hidden Power of a Yawn

A yawn does a lot more than just fill your lungs. When we yawn, we:

Bring more oxygen into the body.
Cool the brain slightly to help with focus.
Activate the parasympathetic nervous system (the part that tells your body it’s safe to relax).
Release tension in the jaw, neck, and shoulders.

Some researchers even consider yawning to be the body’s “reset button” - a built-in way to shift from stress to calm.

It’s Not Rude - It’s Regulation

Many of us have learned to suppress yawns in public, as if they were something to hide. But yawning can actually be a sign of emotional processing, overstimulation, or even a form of subtle communication.

Have you ever noticed someone else yawn... and then you yawn too? That’s a shared nervous system moment. It’s your body saying: “I feel what you’re feeling”.

How to Invite More Yawning (Yes, Really)

You can actually encourage your body to yawn - especially when feeling stuck, foggy, or tense.

Stretch and yawn together - raise your arms, open your mouth wide, and let the yawn come naturally.
Try a “fake” yawn - sometimes just mimicking one triggers a real one.
Take slow, deep inhales and focus on the back of your throat.
Let yourself pause during the day - you might notice yawns appear when you slow down.

Don’t Suppress It - Celebrate It

Yawning is your body speaking. It’s saying “Let go”. It’s reminding you to breathe, soften, reset. And it’s one of the most natural - and free - tools you have to support calm and clarity.

The writer

I’m Nynke van Aalst, a Dutch writer who finds beauty in the ordinary and wisdom in the body. I believe the little things - like yawns, sighs, and stretches - carry more power than we realise. I hope my writing helps you hear the quiet ways your body speaks.