Working out is really a great habit. We often hear people saying that they yawn when they work out. But they don’t know the reason behind it and it remains a constant question why do I yawn when I work out? Though it is totally natural to yawn while working out, the reason behind it seems a mystery, so, let’s see straight into the reason behind it and get some answers to these interesting questions.
Why Do I Yawn When I Work Out?
Yawning is a natural semi-voluntary reflex of the brain- the central nervous system and the body’s way of cooling down. It is a physiological response related to higher brain and body temperatures.
When you are doing high-intensity or strength training exercises, the body’s major muscle groups are engaged in it resulting in heating up the body quickly. So, in order to cool down in response to this rise in temperature, you yawn during a workout. It is also a way to circulate blood in the body.
It might also be caused by certain neurotransmitters produced in the brain during workouts like serotonin, which is an important neurotransmitter for thermoregulation as it regulates the blood flow in the skin. Increased serotonin levels have been linked with increased body and brain temperatures, a change that makes the body yawn in order to cool down. Yawning may be due to the reason that alveoli require a boost to stay open or your brain might need cooling.
What Is The Purpose Of Yawning During A Workout?
Yawning increases the blood flowing to the brain, which helps in improving memory, glucose, and oxygen transport, while keeping you focused and alert. Yawing helps in regulating the temperature while boosting blood pressure and heartbeat. In this way, it also plays role in decreasing stress. So, its role is to be a conditioner to cool down the body from increased temperatures during the workout.
Should I Worry About Yawning During A Workout?
No, a few yawns during a workout are nothing to worry about. It only helps to cool down your body and maintains temperature. They are the natural and semi-voluntary responses of the brain in response to higher brain and body temperatures.
But excessive yawning could indicate dizziness and if it becomes a real concern, then it’s suggested to visit a doctor.
Conclusion
You yawn during the workout to restore the body’s and brain’s temperature which has increased during the workout. Yawning works as a natural air conditioner by restoring the temperature to the baseline because when you do high-intensity or strength training exercises, the major muscle groups of the body are involved which quickly heats up the body. So, in order to cool down from the rise in temperature, you yawn during a workout that is completely normal and safe.
