Yawn to Cool Down, Focus and Power-Up Mentally

The role of yawing in cognitive performance is being rethought.

We yawn to cool our brains and crank up our mental alertness.   Keeping the brain cool, like keeping a computer cool, is critical for efficient operation.  In short, yawing will boost your cognitive performance not dull it.

The process works by moving blood into the brain.

For an excellent (and short) explanation of the new science of yawing and how to put it to use check out The 3-Second Energy Boost.   I especially like the suggestions for how to bring on a yawn including thinking about one (they are contagious) and faking one.

The key for readers of the Next Brain Blog is that yawing is an important means of naturally maintaining mental efficiency.  Don’t want to stifle that.