It is a process involving the nervous system called pandiculation. Yawning is also pandiculation. The process happens in three stages: contraction, release and then lengthening of the muscles to their natural resting length. It is the release of tension, the sensation of the muscles softening, that feels so good.
Stretching and yawning may be a way to flex muscles and joints, increase heart rate, and feel more awake. Other people believe that yawning is a protective reflex to redistribute the oil-like substance called surfactant (say: sur-FAK-tint) that helps keep lungs lubricated inside and keeps them from collapsing.
Without this yawning-and-stretching activity, our muscles and fascia become increasingly tight, which can lead to structural imbalances such as poor posture, limited range of motion and pain in our joints, and other internal/visceral imbalances.
It's a behavior seen in most mammals and is often associated with yawning and the sleep-wake cycle (think: the cartoon characters that wake up, stretch and yawn in bed). Pandiculation is your body's way of releasing tension in your fascia, the connective tissue that surrounds your muscles, organs and blood vessels.
If you struggle to fall asleep, stretching may help you to do so more quickly, says Ribaudo. It can also improve blood flow and relieve muscle tension — both of which aid in muscle recovery and sleep quality. The more you can get your body to relax before sleep, the more effective your sleep will be.
When you yawn, you propel blood through the blood vessels in your head by stretching your jaw muscles.
If so, it's a possible sign of dysfunction in your nervous system. Being unable to finish a yawn indicates that it's not expelling energy from your nervous system normally, which can lead to an unhealthy accumulation of that energy.
The urge to suppress it is real. After all, its implications are far-ranging — from being seen as tired and sleep-deprived to bored and even rude. Unfortunately, there's no way to hold back the yawn as you exhale gustily — or try to hide it behind your hand.
Pandiculation is the involuntary stretching of the soft tissues, which occurs in most animal species and is associated with transitions between cyclic biological behaviors, especially the sleep-wake rhythm (Walusinski, 2006).
If you are feeling tingling in your muscles as you stretch, it could be caused by tight muscles surrounding your nerves. Another possibility is nerve irritation from injury or overuse, for example, leading to oversensitiveness of the nerve as you stretch.
When you stretch a muscle, the myotatic reflex, or stretch reflex, kicks in, per Science Direct. The muscles involuntarily contract, aka they shake.
Stretching has been shown to activate your parasympathetic nervous system. When this system is activated, it can result in a feeling of calmness and relaxation. This system also helps with assisting proper digestion and resting functions.
Watery eyes can occur when yawning pulls on and stimulates the lacrimal glands , which produces tears. In some cases, the eyes may also be dry from fatigue , causing them to tear up. Not everyone's eyes tear up when they yawn. Even in people who do experience this sensation, it may only occur occasionally.
Although not fully understood, yawning appears to be not only a sign of tiredness but also a much more general sign of changing conditions within the body. Studies have shown that we yawn when we are fatigued, as well as when we are awakening, and during other times when the state of alertness is changing.
What is Excessive Yawning? Yawning excessively is a condition where a person yawns more often than normal. This condition is caused by various reasons, such as boredom, sleepiness, or stress. Excessive yawning can also be caused by an underlying medical condition, such as sleep apnea, anxiety, or depression.
Dehydration can lead to fatigue, which can lead to yawning.
A: Contagious yawning may have evolved to synchronize group behavior—yawns often cluster during particular times of day that coincide with transitions and activity. It also may have evolved to increase vigilance within a group.
Excessive yawning can be related to the vagus nerve, which runs from the bottom of the brain down to the heart and stomach. In some cases, excessive yawning may indicate bleeding around the heart or even a heart attack.
Yawning is certainly less common during sleep, but cases of it have been documented, said Matthew R. Ebben, director of laboratory operations at the Center for Sleep Medicine at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center.
Well-rounded Exercise Programs
For a general fitness program, the American College of Sports Medicine1 recommends static stretching for most individuals that is preceded by an active warm-up, at least 2 to 3 days per week. Each stretch should be held 15-30 seconds and repeated 2 to 4 times.
Not only is it okay to stretch every day, it's actually recommended. The American College of Sports Medicine suggests stretching at least two to three times per week, and that daily stretching is most effective.