Do you know?

Why do we yawn?

Bears yawn. Camels yawn. Most mammals yawn. Why do we yawn? No one really knows the answer. We do know that everyone yawns in the same way. First you open your mouth slowly. Your mouth stays open for about five seconds. Then you quickly close mouth.

We also know that yawning is contagious, or catching. When you see someone yawn, you yawn, too. Many people say that they yawn because they are bored or tired. This might be true. However, we know that people also yawn when they are excited or nervous. Olympic runners, for example, often yawn before a race. Why is that?

Some scientists believe that yawning makes you more alert. When you yawn, you breath more deeply. You also stretch the muscles in your face and neck. Maybe this makes you feel more alert. Scientists don’t spend much time studying yawing. That is probably because yawning doesn’t hurt. It is just something we do.

Why do people laugh?

Do people laugh everyday? Most people do. Scientists say that people laugh about 17 times a day. That is a lot of laughter.

In India, there are hundreds of laughter clubs. The people in these clubs get together every morning. First they stretch their hands above their heads. Then they pretend to laugh. Soon everyone is laughing naturally. People say they feel good after laughing together.

Scientists believe that laughter is good for you. Why? For one thing, laughter is good exercise. When you laugh, you exercise many muscles in your body. Scientists say that one hundred laughs equals ten minutes of running. When you laugh, you also breathe deeply. This helps you relax. That’s good for you, too.

Why do we laugh? That is a hard question to answer. We know that people laugh more often in a group. They don’t laugh very often when they are alone. Many scientists believe that we use laughter to connect to other people. Laughter helps us feel part of a group.

In English, people say that laughter is the best medicine. Some think that laughter helps sick people get well.

 Do you think so, too?