The Windhoek Connection - 18 April 2023

This Is the Reason Why You Yawn When Other People Yawn

Try not to yawn while reading this.

Ever wondered why yawns are so…contagious? We obviously know what a yawn is, here's a more scientific explanation: "The activity of yawning consists of an involuntary wide opening of the mouth and maximal widening of the jaw followed by a deep inhalation and slow expiration," explains Reyan Saghir, MBBS, BSc (Hons). “Usually accompanied when tired or bored, the science behind an everyday event such as yawning is still not yet fully understood."And then there's the most puzzling part of yawning: It seems to spread. Although the science isn't conclusive, there are plenty of studies into this involuntary phenomena that we can create a fairly well-rounded picture of why we yawn when we see others yawn. Let's dive into the psychology.

Why do we yawn?

It's easy to assume that we yawn to try and bring inhale more oxygen, which is actually what scientists believed until 30 years ago. However, that theory was disproved by a series of experiments published in 1987 that showed no correlation between oxygen deprivation and yawning urges. As of today, one of

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the most popular theories as to why we yawn is for arousal. As we become tired, especially when viewing uninteresting or non-interactive repetitive stimuli like a lecture, our body yawns as a means to wake up,'" says Dr. Saghir. "Studies have shown this to be true where an individual's heart rate can be seen to rise and peak for 10 to 15 seconds post-yawn, similar to a boost of caffeine."

Yawning has also been linked to brain cooling, which could be why you find yourself yawning more with a rise in temperature.

“When the facial muscles relax, it

allows heat to be lost via the facial veins and the cool air entering helps reduce brain temperature via convection," says Dr. Saghir. According to researchers, the idea is that if it's hot, but still cool enough so that a large breath of air will bring your body temperature down (e.g. you just went from being a hot environment to a colder one), you're in a prime state for

yawning. Why do we yawn when we see others yawn?

According to researchers, empathy is the most likely reason. "As humans age, we enhance our psychosocial and neurological development, taking other individuals yawning as a cue that we should yawn as well," says Dr. Saghir. Known as echophenomena, it has also been witnessed in chimpanzees, dogs, and humans.

Yawning isn't the only place where this copycat behavior is observed. For instance, on a daily basis, we are constantly and automatically imitating other words (echolalia) or actions (echopraxia) to fit in, notes Dr. Saghir.Turns out that it's only natural—our brains are literally wired to copy people around us. "Studies have shown yawning triggers the "mirror neurons" in the right posterior inferior frontal gyrus of the brain, which are activated when performing goal-directed behavior for true imitation, making the yawning reflex physically impossible to resist as our brains are wired not to," adds Dr. Saghir. It's worth noting that this reaction is only limited in fully developed brains. "As

mentally healthy adults, our psychosocial development will make us yawn when others do. But in individuals lacking the correct mental development, the contagious effect of yawning is not seen," says Dr. Saghir. "For instance, studies in children who are still developing the neural mechanism were only found to yawn in tiredness and not in response to another yawning. Similarly in adults with conditions like autism or schizophrenia, in which social development is different, yawning was not reciprocated."You're probably also more prone to catch a yawn from someone you care about. Circling back to the concept of yawning out of empathy, studies have shown that we tend to copy

yawns more when we have a closer bond or relationship with the yawner. "For example, if a family member yawns, you're more likely to yawn compared to a stranger—this is because of an empathic link our brains make that we empathize with the person yawning more and want to mirror their actions unintentionally," says Dr. Saghir.

So, there you have it, your copycat yawning is simply proof of what an empathetic person you are—and a deep-rooted human desire to strengthen bonds with those close to you. And, chances are, with all this talk of yawning you're feeling ready to yawn right about now.

Source: realsimple.com

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Upcoming Events

Felsgrafittis Literarischer Sundowner, Tuesday, 18 Apr · 7 – 9 PM

Wir möchten Euch ganz herzlich zu unserem Sundowner einladen!

Unser Sundowner soll vor allem eins: alle Freunde und Autoren von Felsgraffiti bei einem gemütlichen Abend zusammenbringen um ureigene Literatur zu genießen. Es gibt wieder leckere Knabbereien aus Heidis Küche, Musik mit dem fantastischen Pinotett und natürlich jede Menge Literarisches.

Solltet Ihr Fragen haben, wendet Euch an uns!

Wir freuen uns schon!

Eure Schreibkollegen und Redaktionsmitglieder: Helga, Inki, Miriam, Monika und Tom

Beer pairing, Wednesday, 19 Apr · 6 – 10 PM

Attention: All beer lovers! This evening is not to be missed. Ready your taste buds and join us for an evening of delicious beer pairings. To confirm your spot, contact our office at 061 240 994. T’s & C’s apply.

Drumming Circle, Wednesday, 19 Apr · 6 – 7 PM,

A weekly public drumming circle. This is a participatory event: We bring the drums, you bring the vibe. We use African djembe drums and dun-duns. Anyone can join, no experience needed. Kids are more than welcome. Free of charge, donations are appreciated. We suggest N$ 50 for adults, N$ 20 for kids.

Tourism resilience, Thursday, 20 Apr · 7 – 9 PM

How tourism destinations can position themselves resiliently for upcoming crises

Public talk by Prof. Dr Conny Mayer-Bonde, tourism and hospitality expert

In her lecture, Prof. Dr Conny Mayer-Bonde will address the topics of crisis and resilience. She will shed light on the crises that threaten tourism destinations and the unforeseen events that can affect a tourism country like Namibia. She introduces the concept of destination resilience and explains in practical terms how destinations can position themselves to withstand crises.

Prof. Dr Conny Bayer-Bonde is a Dean of Studies at the Study Center for Tourism, Hotel Industry and Gastronomy at the Baden-Württemberg Cooperative State University (DHBW) Ravensburg.

Venue: Namibia Scientific Society. Events are open to the public!

Bread Baking Class, Saturday, 22 Apr · 9 AM – 2 PM

This class is for everyone! Learn to bake various type of bread and rolls in one morning. All ingredients included. We would love to have you join us.

Contact us to find out more: 061 240 994

Green Market, Saturday, 22 Apr · 7:30 AM – 12:15 PM, Saturday is MARKET DAY in Klein Windhoek on the venue around the Stephanus Church in Dr Kenneth David Kaunda Street - the open air GREEN MARKET open from 7:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.

You find freshest produce from Namibia, Farm Goodies & Preserves | Healthy and Organic certified products & natural cosmetics.

Water Colour Month, Saturday, 22 Apr · 8 – 10:30 AM

Kaleidoscope Creations in Namibia

Register now for the following upcoming workshop:

22.4.2023: Water colour (Part 1) - Fully booked!

29.4.2023, 9:00 - 13:00: All about water colour (Part 2) - Metallics, Starry, Iridescrnt, Pearlescent and Graphite water colours; N$580.00 (Art materials and Refreshments included) (Teens and adults).

Village Sunday Market, Sunday, 23 Apr · 9 AM – 3 PM

The Village Sunday Market is a place for high quality local vendors and craftsmen to sell their products and produce to the public. All goods available are proudly local and of only the finest quality. The market was started by Alain Seha with his company Urban Eden during times of the coronavirus as an opportunity for struggling local artisans to find a market for their products and since then the market has begun taking a life of its own.

Takes place every Sunday at The Village Garden from 9 am to 3 pm.

Cabbage Carrot Salad With Tangy Peanut

Dressing

Ingredients

For the Salad

• 1 Large Purple Cabbage thinly sliced — this will yield approximately 4 cups

• 2 Cups Shredded Carrots

For the Toppings (optional)

• 1/3 Cup Scallions chopped

• 1 Tablespoon Sesame Seeds you can also use Everything But the Bagel seasoning!

• 1 Cup Shredded Chicken

Method

For the Dressing

• 1/3 Cup Peanut Butter

• 1/4 Cup Water

• 1/4 Cup Coconut Aminos OR Low Sodium Soy Sauce

• 2 Tablespoons Sesame Oil

• 2 Tablespoons Honey

• 1 Lime juiced

• 2 Cloves Garlic

• Start by shredding your cabbage and carrots, or add your pre-shredded veggies to a bowl.

• Next, add all of the dressing ingredients to a separate bowl and whisk to fully combine.

• Toss the veggies into the dressing until they're fully coated.

• Add any toppings, if desired. I love adding in sliced scallion, sesame seeds, and shredded chicken.

• Serve immediately or store the leftovers in the fridge. Enjoy!

Human Skeleton And Organs

Find and circle all of the skeletal parts and body organs that are hidden in the grid. The remaining letters spell a secret message.

Note: TARSALS and METATARSALS are hidden separately and do not overlap. The same goes for CARPALS and METACARPALS, and BLADDER and GALLBLADDER.

Skeleton:

Carpals

Clavicle

Coccyx

Cranium

Femur

Fibula

Humerus

Innominate

Mandible

Metacarpals

Metatarsals

Patella

Phalanges

Radius

Ribs

Sacrum

Scapula

Sternum

Tarsals

Tibia

Ulna

Vertebra

Organs:

Appendix

Bladder

Brain

Gallbladder

Genitals

Heart

Intestines

Kidneys

Liver

Lungs

Pancreas

Skin

Spleen

Stomach

Voice Box