Why do we yawn and Why is yawning contagious?

You feel it coming. The urge to suppress it is real. After all, its implications are far-ranging — from being seen as tired and sleep-deprived to bored and even rude. Unfortunately, there’s no way to hold back the yawn as you exhale gustily — or try to hide it behind your hand.

We’ve all yawned during a time that’s not socially acceptable. During your professor’s speech, on a Zoom call with your manager, or at the dinner table with your family. Even when it’s socially acceptable, i.e., when you wake up and turn in for the night, yawning still has the stigma of not being at your best self.