Why Do We Yawn?

7. What Does Yawning Communicate Socially?

Across many cultures, Adrian G. Guggisberg, MD, explains that yawning is naturally understood as a sign of boredom or sleepiness. When you see a person yawn, you assume they are somewhat tired or at least slightly unpleased about their current situation. However, this unspoken message is ambiguous and most likely not the only reason why the body has still yawned throughout evolution. One thing to keep in mind is that when the body is tired or bored, the brain is less stimulated, which results in a shift of temperature.