Yawning when crying is a relatively common phenomenon, and it occurs for several reasons:
Stress Response: Crying and yawning are both linked to the body's stress response. When you cry, your body may perceive the emotional distress as stress, leading to an increase in cortisol levels (stress hormone). Yawning can be a physiological response to help regulate and manage stress.
Oxygen Regulation: Yawning is known to play a role in regulating oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in the body. When you cry intensely, you may take deep breaths and hyperventilate, which can disrupt the balance of gases in your bloodstream. Yawning helps to bring in more oxygen and expel excess carbon dioxide, helping to stabilize these levels.
Emotional Release: Crying is an emotional release mechanism, and yawning may also be associated with emotional processing. It's possible that your body is trying to cope with strong emotions by combining these responses.
Vagus Nerve Stimulation: The vagus nerve is a major cranial nerve that connects the brain to various organs, including the lungs and digestive system. Yawning can stimulate the vagus nerve, which may have a calming effect on the body during emotional distress.
Social Contagion: Yawning can also be contagious, meaning that when we see or hear someone yawn, we may yawn in response. When crying in the presence of others who may empathize with you, their yawns could be triggering your yawns.
It's important to note that yawning during crying is generally considered a normal physiological response. However, if you find it bothersome or it is interfering with your ability to cope with emotions effectively, you may want to explore relaxation techniques or talk to a mental health professional. They can help you better understand your emotional responses and provide guidance on managing strong emotions in a healthy way.