Yawning is mostly involuntary, meaning you don't have control over it. And most scientists consider it a reflex. However, you can make yourself yawn by breathing in gradually while retracting the tip of your tongue and opening your jaw repetitively. In addition, seeing other people yawning often triggers one.

Research suggests that contagious yawning may be linked to empathy, which is feeling and understanding someone else's experience, and people who yawn after seeing others yawn show higher empathy. You're also likely to yawn when someone you're close to or care for yawns.

Misophonia is a strong negative reaction to common sounds, which are usually made by other people, and include breathing, yawning, or chewing. People with misophonia often experience a fight-or-flight response to the sounds which can trigger anger and a need to escape.

Excessive yawning may mean that you are tired, drowsy, or fatigued. However, it can also be a sign of a medical condition, such as sleep apnea, narcolepsy, or a reaction to a medication.