Key Takeaways
- Excessive yawning can signal serious sleep issues like sleep apnea or chronic sleep deprivation, not just boredom or fatigue.
- One-third of U.S. adults report excessive sleepiness, which impacts mood, memory, and safety, especially while driving.
- Not all yawning is a red flag—context matters. Occasional yawns are normal and can even be triggered by reading about yawning.
Do you find yourself yawning throughout the day, even after a full night’s sleep? According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM), excessive sleepiness is more than a nuisance; it may be a sign of an underlying health issue requiring attention.
A recent AASM position statement published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine and endorsed by 25 medical institutions highlights that excessive daytime sleepiness affects one-third of U.S. adults and is strongly linked to impaired health, safety risks, and reduced quality of life.
Excessive Sleepiness and Health Risks
“Sleepiness is a serious health issue with wide-ranging consequences,” explains Dr. Eric Olson, pulmonologist and president of the AASM. The position paper outlines that sleepiness is associated with cognitive impairments, poor mood, reduced daytime performance, and, in severe cases, injury or even death.
Sleepiness is a key symptom of several sleep-wake disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea and narcolepsy. Yet it often goes unrecognized in daily life, where signs like frequent yawning or nodding off during passive activities are overlooked.
A Common Yet Overlooked Problem
According to AASM data, nearly one in three adults in the U.S. reports struggling to stay awake and alert during normal waking hours. Kristen Knutson, a sleep researcher at Northwestern University, warns:
“Nodding off during a meeting—even a boring one—is a sign of sleep debt. Someone who is well-rested doesn’t fall asleep during passive activities.”
This level of sleepiness may reflect insufficient or poor-quality sleep over time—a problem that builds gradually and erodes both physical and mental performance.
Why Sleepiness Is So Dangerous
One major concern highlighted in the position statement is that people are not always aware of how sleepy they are. “With chronic sleep deprivation, our ability to assess our own alertness becomes flawed,” says Dr. Indira Gurubhagavatula of Penn Medicine. Despite feeling “functional,” people may show measurable declines in reaction time, coordination, memory, and decision-making.
This mismatch between perception and reality can lead to microsleeps—brief episodes of involuntary sleep that occur without warning, sometimes in dangerous situations like while driving. According to national statistics cited in the report, drowsiness is a contributing factor in an estimated 100,000 car crashes in the U.S. each year.
Other Causes of Excessive Yawning: More Than Just Lack of Sleep
While insufficient sleep is the most common cause of excessive yawning, it’s not the only explanation. In rare cases, persistent yawning can be linked to neurological conditions such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, or stroke, where thermoregulation and brainstem activity are affected. Yawning has also been observed in response to anxiety, as a physical response to stress-induced shallow breathing and elevated cortisol levels.
Certain medications—including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), used for depression—have also been associated with frequent yawning as a side effect. Even vasovagal stimulation, such as during a migraine aura or gastrointestinal distress, can trigger yawns. While these causes are uncommon compared to sleep disorders, they highlight the importance of looking at the full clinical picture, especially if yawning is chronic, unexplained, and accompanied by other symptoms.
Sleepiness Deserves Medical Attention
The AASM stresses that sleepiness is not just a symptom; it is a critical health marker. Evaluating and managing it should be part of routine medical care, particularly for patients who report fatigue, brain fog, or daytime lapses in alertness.
If you find yourself frequently yawning, dozing off unintentionally, or feeling unrefreshed after sleep, speak with your healthcare provider.
How Is Excessive Sleepiness Diagnosed?
- Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS): A short questionnaire that rates how likely you are to fall asleep in various situations.
- Polysomnography (Sleep Study): An overnight test that records brain activity, breathing, and other vital signs.
- Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT): Assesses how quickly you fall asleep during the day and helps diagnose conditions like narcolepsy.
- Actigraphy: A wrist-worn monitor that tracks movement to analyze sleep-wake patterns over time.
These tests help identify specific sleep disorders and guide personalized treatment.
Sleep disorders are treatable, and addressing them can significantly improve your quality of life.
FAQs About Yawning
What does it mean if I yawn all day?
It could mean you’re not getting enough quality sleep, or it might signal a sleep disorder like sleep apnea.
Can yawning be a sign of illness?
Rarely, yes. Conditions like carbon monoxide poisoning or neurological disorders can cause excessive yawning, but they usually have other symptoms too.
Why is yawning contagious?
It’s not fully understood, but it may be a social or empathy-driven brain response.
Does yawning always mean I’m tired?
Not always. Yawning can happen when you’re bored, anxious, or even focused.
When should I worry about yawning too much?
If you feel tired during the day, fall asleep easily in passive situations, or notice changes in alertness, it’s time to talk to a doctor.
Can anxiety cause yawning?
Yes. Some people yawn more when they’re anxious due to shallow breathing or nervous system changes.
Is it possible to stop yawning?
You can’t really control yawns, but improving sleep habits and reducing stress can help if it’s frequent.
Do medications cause yawning?
Some do—especially antidepressants like SSRIs. Check with your doctor if you notice a change.
Is yawning during exercise normal?
Yes. It can be a response to body temperature changes or breathing patterns during workouts.
Should I track my yawning?
Only if it’s excessive and comes with daytime fatigue. A sleep diary might help your doctor diagnose the issue.
Final Thoughts: When Yawning Isn’t a Red Flag
While frequent yawning often points to sleep issues, not every yawn signals a problem. Yawning is also a normal reflex seen across species, possibly linked to brain cooling or even social bonding. Some researchers suggest it may help regulate alertness or foster group awareness.
There’s also the risk of overthinking it. Simply reading about yawning can trigger it, thanks to a psychological mirroring effect. That doesn’t mean you’re unwell; it means you’re human.
In the end, yawning sits at the intersection of biology, psychology, and context. If it’s persistent and paired with daytime sleepiness, get it checked out. But not every yawn is cause for alarm.
References
Heffron, T. M., Gurubhagavatula, I., Trotti, L. M., Abbasi-Feinberg, F., Abreu, A. R., Bandyopadhyay, A., Kapur, V. K., Kuhlmann, D., … (2025). Clinical significance of sleepiness: An American Academy of Sleep Medicine position statement. Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.5664/jcsm.11658
