The yawn

 A mini-blog/reflective journal, from a self-confessed air-head.

The Yawn

Yawning is an action we commonly associate with tiredness or boredom. I've got a slightly different relationship with the yawn, as well.

Odd urge to yawn

As an adolescent I developed a symptom whereby I felt a continual urge to yawn.  And when I did yawn I felt that I still couldn't get enough oxygen.  I obviously consulted the doctor, tests were done and no physical cause, such as asthma, found.  So, it was attributed to anxiety.  I can't recall exactly when it resolved itself.  But it did, at some stage.

Reoccurrence

Recently, this symptom reoccurred.  I consulted the doctor, again, and it was again attributed to anxiety.  The fact it coincided with palpitations seemed to back this up.  And it was during a stressful period of time for me at work.

A useful tool

More recently still, I learned that the yawn can be consciously utilised as a way to activate the parasympathetic nervous system. So, it's a way to calm down. That could be useful. I've squirrelled it away, along with the knowledge of the 'physiological sigh' (and the Valsalva Maneuver).

The parasympathetic system

Perhaps some part of my subconscious was aware of the yawn-parasympathetic system connection already. And that's why I experienced the symptom of 'needing' to yawn?❔

Trusting our bodies

❓ So, is the yawn also a symbol of how we should listen to and trust our bodies?

Contagiousness?

Then there's the notion that yawning is contagious*. It may be a body language signal to the rest of our 'tribe'. I remember hearing years ago that it was a 'safe to sleep' signal (though I can't recall where).

Alertness?

One item I read online speculated the opposite. Rather than sleepiness, it stated that yawning was a means to becoming more alert. This was because, they argued, yawning comes along with stretching. Thereby keeping the body & muscles ready for action.

Context

Perhaps it depends on the context, therefore. For example, we apparently yawn before retiring and also after rousing. So, whilst winding down & relaxing, and during the waking up process. It's reflexive. It's also thought to cool the brain.

Spiritual connection?

A quick internet search reveals a notion that yawning may be associated (spiritually) with manipulation of energy, by some. I may need to do more research into this, as this was news to me.

Health signs and symptoms

This quick internet search also revealed that excessive yawning can be a symptom of serious health conditions (such as heart attack, brain tumour, serious liver disease or stroke)! I'm very much prone to worrying over my health, so this was alarming. In fact, I experienced an attack of excessive yawning while researching this! (Psychosomatic, I'm sure.)

Relationship with health system

So for me, the yawn has now also become a symbol of my broken-down relationship with the health system here. For years I've been complaining of fatigue and receiving no input from the doctor for this. (Have a read of my G post for more background if you want.)

Feeling let down

Because latterly, having complained of a peculiar new/recurring symptom which was bothering me, a bemused sounding duty GP (during a phone consultation, only) guessed at anxiety as a cause, without any physical exam. And later I've discovered online it could've been something serious, even life-threatening, like my heart!

Still in one piece

I know one shouldn't diagnose oneself from info on a website, and I'm not.  Because this occurred over 6 months ago now (and I'm still here, in one piece).  👍

👌 And admittedly, this happened during the pandemic (though, not a lockdown). So the phone consult was, at the time, the best way to go to minimise potential exposure to the virus.

Could've gone the other way

But, I've a friend who ended up hospitalised and nearly dying after a doctor merely listened to her chest over the telephone! That doc stated it was nothing serious, then it turned out to be pneumonia! This situation of mine feels -to me- like it could've been similar. If it'd been my heart, for example.

3 key things

So, for me, there are three key things to remember about the yawn. Kind of a three-pronged approach. ③

These are: 1) Remember to yawn on purpose; it's part of my arsenal of self care. 2) Trust what my body is trying to tell me. 3) Don't take being fobbed off by the health service lying down any more; speak up for myself to get the input I need.

*Schürmann M, Hesse MD, Stephan KE, Saarela M, Zilles K, Hari R, Fink GR. Yearning to yawn: the neural basis of contagious yawning. Neuroimage. 2005 Feb 15;24(4):1260-4. doi: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2004.10.022. PMID: 15670705.


Photo credits (all photos from Unsplash):
Yawning cat by Milada Vigerova; 'deep breath' by Brett Jordan; typewriter by Markus Winkler; balancing rocks by Jeppe Hove Jensen; 'intuition' saying by Jen Theodore; meerkats by Dušan veverkolog; stretching cat by Timo Volz; plasma/energy by HalGatewood.com; green cross by Justin Chrn; broken crockery by Chuttersnap; phone by Quino Al; IV stand by Marcelo Leal.

Bonus tree photos:
With koala Marcus Wallis; with owl Ákos Nemes; with river Matthew Smith

Cookies/data
European Union laws require that EU visitors be given information about cookies used and data collected on this blog.  Google/Blogger have added a notice on this blog to explain Google's use of certain Blogger and Google cookies, including use of Google Analytics and AdSense cookies, and other data collected by Google.  If this notice does not display and you are in the EU, please will you notify me in the comments section.  Many thanks.