02 Nov , 18:50
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Scientists revealed the secret: yawning before a performance is your natural helper in combating stress
As reported by TUT.AZ, Doctor of Medical Sciences Valery Litvinov told "Gazeta.Ru" about the unexpected benefits of yawning before public speaking.
According to the scientist, yawning is a complex neurophysiological process that actively engages centers of higher nervous activity. When our central nervous system accumulates inhibitory processes, there is an activation of dopaminergic neurons that send a signal to the respiratory center of the brain stem.
This triggers an impressive chain of reactions: a deep breath, contraction of the diaphragm and intercostal muscles, a momentary breath hold, and a powerful exhalation that follows.
The volume of inhaled air during yawning increases approximately four times, which temporarily enriches the blood with oxygen. Muscle tension enhances blood flow to the heart, increasing heart rate and boosting the volume of pumped blood by a quarter. This mechanism effectively "resets" the nervous system and maintains the body in an optimal working state.
Answering a question about the reasons for frequent yawning before a performance or exam, Valery Litvinov explained: stress provokes excessive tension in the muscles of the neck, shoulders, and jaw. In such moments, yawning performs a compensatory function — it reduces the tone of the nervous system. Under the influence of serotonin, the excitability of spinal cord neurons decreases, which leads to relaxation and reduced anxiety.
According to a similar principle, the expert added, evening yawning also works. It prepares the body for sleep, helping to smoothly transition from a state of wakefulness to relaxation. At the same time, the brain activity necessary for the dream phase is maintained, but muscle tone and susceptibility to external stimuli are reduced.
